Common surgical instruments Flashcards
What are scalpel blades used for?
For surgical incision, allowing for effective first intention healing
What are the different sizes of scalpel handles?
Handles may be 3 filament or 4 filament
What size blades does a 3 filament scalpel handle fit?
Sizes 10, 11, 12, and 15
What size blades does a 4 filament scalpel handle fit?
Sizes 20-25
What is specific about a size 11 blade?
It is a tenotomy blade, specifically for surgical division of a tendon
What are some types of surgical scissors?
Mayos, Metzenbaums, dissecting, Vigo
Describe Mayo scissors
Used for blunt dissection of fibrous tissue such as muscle. They may be curved or straight
Describe Metzenbaum scissors
Used for dissection of delicate tissue. May be curved or straight
Describe dissecting scissors
Have a sharp, pointed end.
What are strabismus scissors?
A type of ophthalmic scissors with a sharp pointed end
Define STRABISMUS
A condition in which the eyes do not properly align with one another when looking at an object
Describe Vigo scissors
These have one blunt and one sharp end
How many types of non-surgical scissors are there?
There are 6 types of non surgical scissors
List the types of non surgical scissors
Heaths, Littaeur, nursing, Lister, Carless, Paynes
Describe Heath’s suture scissors
Non surgical scissors for stitch cutting or removing sutures
Describe Littauer scissors
Non surgical scissors for suture removal
Describe general nursing scissors
General nursing scissors
Describe Lister bandaging scissors
None surgical scissors. Have a bulge on one end specifically designed for cutting through layers of bandage
Describe Carless scissors
Non surgical scissors for suture removal
Describe Payne’s scissors
Non surgical scissors for suture removal
What is the function of tissue forceps?
To hold tissue out of the way, e.g. during abdominal surgery. They are designed to act with minimal trauma to tissue
What are the two main types of tissue forceps?
Babcock tissue forceps and Allis tissue forceps
Describe Allis tissue forceps
Tissue forceps that have two slightly serrated jaws that come together completely
Describe Babcock tissue forceps
Tissue forceps that are atraumatic - they do not have teeth
What is the function of dissecting forceps?
Used to pick up tissue, often in combination with a needle when stitching. They have spring action and may be plain (atraumatic) or rat toothed (traumatic)
How should dissecting forceps be held?
Like a pencil
What is the difference between rat tooth and plain dissecting forceps?
A rat tooth end is traumatic whereas a plain end is atraumatic
What are the different types of dissecting forceps?
Lanes, Treves, Bendovers, DeBakeys, Adson Browns
Describe Lanes forceps
Usually used during robust dissection. Have a serrated end to provide good grip
Describe Treves forceps
Treves Dissecting Forceps are versatile surgical instruments used primarily for tissue manipulation and delicate dissection in various surgical procedures. They are characterised by their fine, pointed tips and serrated jaws, making them suitable for precise and controlled tasks.
Describe Bendovers forceps
Dissecting forceps that have a completely smooth, rounded end
Describe DeBakey forceps
These never have a rat tooth, and are therefore very atraumatic. Usually longer than other types of dissecting forceps and used for vascular surgeries
Describe Adson Brownes forceps
Used for holding very delicate structures. Has a very tapered end (looks like a bottle nose dolphin). The blades may be rat tooth or plain
What is the function of spay forceps and hooks?
Both used for holding the uterus during an ovariohysterectomy
Describe spay forceps
Long forceps, with a narrow end that ends in a point. Used for holding the uterus during an ovariohysterectomy
Describe spay hooks
A round end hook at the end of a straight, stainless steel bar. Used to hold the uterus during an ovariohysterectomy
What is the function of haemostat forceps?
Used to stop bleeding by clamping blood vessels closed. May be straight or curved and vary in size - type of forceps needed changes depending on the anatomy being worked on
What are some types of haemostat forceps?
Spencer Wells, Angiotribes, Rochester Peans, Kocher-Ochsners
Describe Spencer Wells forceps
Haemostat forceps. They have short, serrated jaws capable of totally sealing small blood vessels.
Describe Rochester Pean forceps
Haemostat forceps. Used for clamping and controlling large vessels. Can also be used for intestinal clamps
Describe Angiotribe forceps
Haemostat forceps - they are very clunky with a straight end. Used for very dense tissue
Describe Kocher-Ochsner forceps
Haemostat forceps - they are part of the Rocester family, and are used for medium to heavy tissue. They have a rat tooth and may be curved or straight
What is the function of bowel clamps?
Used to clamp off areas of intestines without damaging the tissue.
Describe Doyen bowel clamps
Bowel clamps - atraumatic. Smooth bladed forceps that can accommodate a wide range of tissue. They have a large gap when opened.
What are the key types of aural forceps?
Matthews aural forceps
Swiss pattern forceps
Describe Matthew’s aural forceps
These open only right at the end of the instrument and only one side of the set of teeth open.
Describe Swiss pattern forceps
Aural forceps - both sides of the instrument move and they move from the box junction, rather than right at the end
Describe oesophageal forceps. Name a key example
Similar to Matthews aural forceps however they have interchangeable ends
A key example is Jackson’s oesophageal forceps
What is a key feature of iris forceps?
Have a finger spike to prevent over squeezing and trauma to delicate ophthalmic structures
What are iris forceps
Smooth ended, curved forceps that are used specifically for ophthalmic procedures - useful for removing foreign objects from the surface of the eye. They look like a hockey stick and should be used point end away from the eye
Have a finger spike to prevent over squeezing
What is the function of retractors?
For pushing tissue apart so tissue below can be more easily visualised. May be handheld or self retaining
Describe Hohman’s retractors
These are orthopaedic, specifically intra articular. Handheld
Describe Langenbeck retractors
Much larger than other retractors. L shaped. For soft tissue and fat pads etc. Handheld
What are some examples of self retaining retractors?
Gelpis, Wests, Weislanders, Weitlaners, Travers, Balfours, Gosset, Finochietto
Describe Gelpis
Self retaining retractors. Have a single sharp tooth. For muscle and join retraction
Describe West retractors
Self retaining. They have 3 and 4 sharp tines
Describe Weislander retractors
Self retaining. Have 3 and 4 blunt tines
Describe Weitlander retractors
Self retaining. Have 2 and 3 tines, and may be blunt or sharp
Describe Travers retractors
Self retaining. Have 4 and 5 tines, are always blunt so are atraumatic
Describe Balfour retractors
Self retaining. Come in two sizes, and are used for opening and holding open abdominal spaces
Describe Gosset retractors
Self retaining. For abdominal spaces
Describe Finochietto retractors
Self retaining. For general use, can be used for holding open the chest/thorax
What is the function of screw holding forceps?
They are used for holding screws for bone plates but have no individual names
What is the function of needle holders?
To hold the needle when suturing
What are the different types of needle holders?
Mayo Hagars, Olsen Hagars, Gillies, McPhails
Describe Mayo Hagar needle holders
They are similar to artery forceps. They have a needle holding blade but no scissor blade
Describe Olsen Hagar needle holders
Have a cutting edge but also have a ratchet in place
Describe McPhails needle holders
Have a spring ratchet so squeezing results in the jaws opening
Describe Gillies needle holders
Have a scissor action, but no ratchet so the needle must be held in place tightly
What is the function of drape clips?
To hold the drapes in place - they have curved, pointed end which go through the drape and attach to the skin. Usually 6 of them in a pack for a four drape system
What are the two types of towel clamps?
Backhaus towel clamps
Jones cross action
What are some examples of dental instruments?
Periodontal probes, elevators (with different ends), extractors, dental burrs
What are some examples of ancillary equipment for pin fixation?
Jacob’s chuck and key, pin introducers, Kirschner’s wire introducer, handheld air driven drill, drill bits
What are some examples of general orthopaedic instruments?
Monofilament wire/circlage wage, wire twisters (used for specific situations, such as wiring mandibular symphysis fractures in cats), wire cutters, Fergurson bone holders, Burns bone holders, Lewin bone holders, Hey Groves bone holders
What are the three types of bone plates?
Venables bone plates, Sherman bone plates, dynamic compression bone plates
Describe a Venables bone plate
Straight sided with round holes - suit dogs of most sizes
Describe a Sherman bone plate
Have round holes with wavy edges. Suit smaller animals such as cats, as it has less metal and is lighter
Describe a dynamic compression bone plate
Have oval screw holes, used for pulling bone together quickly
What are some examples of screws used with bone plates?
Sherman screws, cortical screws, cancellous screws
Describe a Sherman bone screw
These can be used with both Venables and Sherman bone plates. They have flat heads, but are sharp and pointed, and are self tapping. The thread goes all the way to the top
Describe a cortical bone screw
Always have the thread going the entire length of the screw. They are used for hard bone
Describe a cancellous bone screw
These can have either a full or partial thread. They are used to hold much lighter, spongy bone, their thread is much deeper and better defined. They can have either hexagonal or pentagonal
What is the ASIF technique?
Designed to compress the bone fragment together so they are much more stable. Dynamic compression plates are frequently used for this. The two screws nearest the fracture site are always put in first
What are some examples of equipment required for the AO/ASIF technique?
T-handled bone tap
Countersink
Drill guide
Screw drivers
What are the two sides of a fractured bone site?
A compression side, where the bone ends push down continuously
A distraction (or tension) side, which is the other side
Which screws have better holding power?
Tapped screws, when compared with self tapping
Describe a T-handled bone tap
These create holes for screws
Describe a counter sink
Creates a divot in the bone for the head of the screw to sit in
Describe a drill guide
Allows certain angles of hole to be created
What is some general orthopaedic equipment?
- Liston bone cutters
- plate benders
- depth gauge
- tape sleeve/guard
- Gigli wire
- Gigli wire holder
- Saterlee bone saw
- Hacksaw
- periosteal elevator
- osteotome
- chisel
- Rongeurs
- Volkmann’s scoop/curette
What are plate benders used for?
Used to bend bone plates to form fit to long bone
What is a depth gauge used for?
Measures the depth of drilled holes
What is a tap sleeve/guard used for?
Stops bone taps from sliding over periosteum and causing trauma
Define PERIOSTEUM
A membrane that covers the outer surface of all bones
What is Gigli wire used for?
To cut (cheesewire) through bone
How many Gigli wire holders are required?
Two - one at either end of the wire
What is a periosteal elevator used for?
Used to lift periosteum and soft tissue from the surface of bone. The tips require protection and must be kept very sharp. May be single or double ended
How would you tell the difference between a chisel and an osteotome?
A chisel has one bevelled edge, an osteotome has two. Both are used to cut bone
What are Rongeurs used for?
To ‘nibble bone’
What are the different types of Rongeurs?
Stille Luer, Lecksell, or Freidmann’s
