Surgery Instruments

Question 1

What does absorbable sutures mean?

Answer 1

Broken down and dissolve over time, resulting in loss of tensile strength as the suture is absorbed

Question 2

What is the difference between monofilament versus polyfilament?

Answer 2

Monofilament has a smooth surface, causes less tissue trauma, does not harbor bacteria, and does not draw water up via capillary action. It is more prone to stretching.

Polyfilament (braided) suture is stronger, more pliable, has good handling, and results in stronger knots. However, it can harbor bacteria, causes tissue trauma, and draws water up via capillary action.

Question 3

What are the 3 disadvantages of braided/polyfilament sutures?

Answer 3

Can harbor bacteria
Cause tissue trauma
Draws water up via capillary action

Question 4

What sizes do needles range?

Answer 4

10-0 to 7

Question 5

General use of 10-0 to 8-0

Answer 5

Common in ophthalmic surgery, microsurgery, small nerve and vascular injury (usually in the hand)

Question 6

General use of 7-0 to 6-0

Answer 6

Diameter: 0.05–0.07 mm
(b) Repairing small vessels and nerves, vascular grafts

Question 7

General use of 7-0 to 6-0

Answer 7

Larger vessels (abdominal aorta), skin closure

Question 8

General use of 3-0 to 2-0

Answer 8

Skin closure, bowel repair/anastomosis, vessel ligation

Question 9

General use of 0 to 1

Answer 9

Closing fascia, joint capsules, deep layers of back

Question 10

General use of 2 to 5

Answer 10

Tendon repair, orthopedic surgery

Question 11

General use of 6 to 7

Answer 11

Available only in surgical steel; closure of sternotomy

Question 12

What is the tensile strength of vicryl sutures at 14 days and 28 days?

Answer 12

14 days - 75%
28 days - 25%

Question 13

IS PDS an absorbable or non-absorbable suture?

Answer 13

Absorbable suture

Question 14

What are nonabsorbable sutures used for?

Answer 14

Skin closures
Tendon
Nerve Repair
Vascular ligation and repair

Question 15

What is the advantage of nonabsorbable sutures?

Answer 15

Minimizes water absorption and tissue friction, which allows them to retain their tensile strength longer than absorbable sutures.

Question 16

When are non absorbable sutures typically used?

Answer 16

When high tensile strenth is needed (tendons, ligaments, skin)

Question 17

What is the purpose of tapered round body sutures?

Answer 17

(a) Spreads tissue without cutting
(b) Used on less dense/fibrous tissue
(c) Commonly used for anastomoses

Question 18

What are cutting needles?

Answer 18

(1) Three cutting edges
(2) Allows easy passage through dense, tough tissue
(3) Repetitive use will dull the needle point.
(4) Avoid grasping the tip of a cutting needle to prevent unintended blunting.

Question 19

What is the purpose of tapered cutting needles?

Answer 19

(a) Combines round body tapered needle with advantages of cutting
(b) Cutting tip allows easy penetration of denser tissue.
(c) Tapered body prevents further cutting as needle is pulled through tissue.
(d) Commonly used for sclerotic vessels or tendon repair

Question 20

What is the purpose of blunt needles?

Answer 20

(1) Tapered body with rounded tip
(2) Prevents damage to friable tissue
(3) Commonly used on liver and kidney

Question 21

What is the common purpose of RB1 needles?

Answer 21

Small, tapered point, ½ circle, commonly used for vascular anastomoses

Question 22

What is the common purpose of SH needles?

Answer 22

SH—tapered point, ½ circle, larger than RB1, most commonly used for bowel anastomoses

Question 23

Scalpel - what is the #10 blade used for?

Answer 23

Broad base, used for large incisions

Question 24

Scalpel -what is the #11 blade used for?

Answer 24

V-shaped, used for stab incisions (incision and drainage, trocar placement)

Question 25

Scalpel -what is the #15 blade used for?

Answer 25

essentially a smaller version of a #10, used for smaller incisions, precise débridement and dissection, plastic/cosmetic procedures)

Question 26

What is the difference between cutting vs coagulation?

Answer 26

Cutting: heat is produced continuously very fast and tissue is vaporized at the tip of the probe

Coagulation: pulsed heat, heat is produced more slowly, tissue damage is more widespread, causing blood coagulation

Question 27

What is the difference between monopolar and bipolar?

Answer 27

Monopolar: Current is passed from the probe (active electrode) where cauterization occurs and the patient’s body serves as a ground. A grounding pad (returning electrode) is placed on the person’s body, usually the thigh, and it carries the current back to the machine. Careful application of the return electrode is necessary as extensive burns can occur undetected if the electrode is not correctly positioned.

Bipolar: The active and receiving electrodes are both placed at the site of cauterization. The probe is usually in the shape of a forceps with each tine forming one electrode, cauterizing only the tissue between the electrodes