Surgical instruments, critical for the delivery of modern healthcare, are tools that are designed for use by medical practitioners during surgical procedures. They enable surgeons to perform surgical procedures with precision and ensure the highest levels of safety while contributing to the best surgical outcomes. 

Surgical instruments have different uses and functions in different procedures. They help surgeons in the following ways:  

  • making incisions
  • cutting/ dissecting tissues, bones, or other objects
  • manipulating tissues 
  • manipulating and gripping other instruments
  • grasping and holding tissues, anatomical structures, or other objects
  • suturing
  • providing hemostasis
  • probing and dilating body parts
  • gaining visibility 
  • providing retraction to maintain a clear surgical site
  • removing or repairing organs, etc.  

Surgical instruments come in diverse categories, each with diverse configurations and designs to meet the needs of different procedures. In the blog, we discuss the common types of surgical instruments in detail. 

Common Types of Surgical Instruments

Scalpels

Scalpels are surgical instruments used to make initial incisions and cut tissues. They give complete control to the surgeon and enable them to make clean precise cuts, minimizing damage and trauma to surrounding tissues. 

Scalpels come with an instrument set of a blade and a handle. The handle is typically made of plastic and designed ergonomically to offer a good grip to the surgeon. The blade, made with surgery-grade stainless steel, is sharp and removable. They come in various shapes and sizes to meet the needs of different procedures. Scalpels come in both reusable and disposable forms. 

Scalpels are typically referred to by their blade number being used. Here are some types of scalpels based on their blade numbers: 

  • #10 Scalpel is the most common type with a curved edge and pointed tip, making it versatile for various surgical procedures.
  • #11 Scalpel has a sharp tip with a triangular shape, used for making precise, fine incisions in delicate tissues.
  • #20 Scalpel with its large, curved cutting edge and rounded tip is used in orthopedic procedures most commonly. 
  • #60 Scalpel with its rounded, curved cutting edge and a small, pointed tip is often used in oral and maxillofacial procedures. 

Additionally, there are more specialized scalpels such as:  

  • Histology Scalpels 
  • Electrocautery Scalpel
  • Laser Scalpels
  • Microsurgical Scalpels
  • Dermatome Scalpels
  • Fetal Scalpels

Forceps

Forceps are surgical instruments that consist of two blades/ tongs joined together at a pivot point. Being handheld surgical instruments, forceps are designed to provide versatility, grip strength, and maneuverability. Their ergonomic design, grip strength, and maneuverability ensure that surgeons can effectively grasp, hold, manipulate, and/or extract tissues, foreign bodies, or objects. The atraumatic jaws ensure that surrounding tissues sustain minimum damage during the procedure. 

Forceps come in varying configurations (shapes, sizes, lengths, and designs) to suit the needs of different surgical procedures. They can be toothed/ serrated or non-toothed at the tip based on the intended use. Fine delicate tips are necessary for more precise manipulation while blunt tips are adequate for other kinds of procedures. The blades can be straight, curved, or angled. 

Forceps may also be of the locking and non-locking kind. Non-locking forceps also known as grasping forceps or thumb forceps are used for grasping tissue or objects. Locking forceps are also known as clamps. These ratcheted surgical instruments are used to hold object/ tissue or provide hemostasis during surgery.  

Common Types of Non-Locking Forceps 

  • Tissue forceps: non-toothed and used for dissection and fine handling of tissues. 
  • Bonney forceps are heavy and used for holding thicker tissues. 
  • Adson forceps: toothed and used for handling dense tissues. 
  • DeBakey and Russian forceps are used for atraumatic tissue grasping. 
  • Micrforceps are used in neurosurgery. 

Common Types of Locking Forceps/ Clamps

  • Crile Hemostat forceps are atraumatic, non-toothed surgical instruments used for blunt dissection and holding tissues/ vessels to be tied off. 
  • Kelly clamps which are a larger variation of the Hemostat forceps. 
  • Nasal forceps are used in sinus surgeries.
  • Alligator Forceps with their serrated jaws and strong grip are used for holding and manipulating tissues or sutures during surgeries. 
  • Disc forceps are spinal instruments with pointed tips and serrated jaws. They are available in different configurations. 

Retractors

Retractors are surgical instruments necessary to keep incisions open while holding back tissues/ organs/ anatomical structures during surgeries. They enable surgeons to perform the procedure effectively by maintaining a clear surgical view and ensuring proper access and visibility to the surgical site. 

Retractors are designed to be sturdy to maintain visibility and access to the surgical site for extended periods. They are adjustable to ensure surgeons can reach any organ with ease. They are ergonomic to ensure minimum surgeon discomfort, reduced fatigue, and maximum control and grip. Their non-marring surface ensures that the surrounding tissues and organs do not get damaged during the procedure. 

Retractors come in various shapes, sizes, and designs for specific applications. Here are the common types of retractors. 

  • Handheld retractors: These are simple and versatile surgical instruments that are manually held and manipulated by an assistant. These have 3 main parts – the handle held by the assistant, the blade which goes into the patient’s body, and a shaft between these two. 
  • Self-sustaining retractors: These retractors do not require a surgical assistant to hold them through the surgery; they, as the name suggests, are self-sustaining. Screws, ratchets, and/or clamps are used to hold them in place. They vary significantly in design, shape, and size from the simple hinged ratchets to the complex operation table-mounted frames. These retractors free up the assistants and reduce their fatigue while ensuring safe and sturdy retraction throughout the procedure.    
  • Wire retractors: These surgical instruments use a thin, flexible wireframe made with stainless steel or other medical-grade materials to help provide retraction. They are versatile and extremely flexible in their application, enabling easy adjustment to suit the needs of the procedure. 

Some examples of retractors are anterior cervical retractors, army-navy retractors, tubular retractors, Richardson retractors, malleable retractors, etc. 

Needle Holders

Needle holders are specialized surgical instruments used for holding, driving, and manipulating needles, especially during suturing. They provide a secure grip during suturing, enabling the surgeon to control and manipulate the needle with precision.

Needle holders have ergonomically designed handles that provide a comfortable and secure grip to the surgeon, allowing precision, control, and maneuverability. The needle is clamped and held securely by the jaw or top of the needle holder. Jaws can be smooth or serrated based on the type of needle being used. 

Many needle holders have a locking mechanism near the handle to keep the needle locked in place during suturing. Some need holders also have a ratcheted mechanism that enables surgeons to maintain a constant grip on the needle without continuous manual pressure. 

Needle holders are available in a range of configurations to meet the needs of different procedures and preferences of the surgeon. Some of the types include: 

  • The versatile Mayo-Hegar Needle Holder with a straight, serrated jaw and a robust handle.
  • The delicately designed Mathieu Needle Holder with curved jaws and a slender handle, is often used in plastic surgery and other delicate procedures. 
  • Castroviejo Needle Holder with a fine, delicate design and small jaws for microsurgeries and ophthalmic procedures. 
  • Crile-Wood Needle Holder with a shorter length and fine, serrated jaws, often used in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Other Types of Surgical Instruments

  • Suction 
  • Probes
  • Distractors 
  • Scissors 
  • Bone Holders
  • Curettes
  • Staplers
  • Headrest, etc. 

Conclusion 

Surgical instruments are indispensable tools in any surgical toolkit and essential for the success of surgical procedures. In this blog, we discussed four of the common types of surgical instruments that medical professionals must know about. There are many other categories of surgical instruments that are equally important for the successful delivery of healthcare. 

Given their criticality, medical providers must choose these with utmost care. It is important to purchase surgical instruments that are sterile, OR-ready, precise, and durable (except in the case of disposables). They must be made with surgery-grade materials to ensure durability, superior quality, biocompatibility, patient safety, and reduced risk of infections. The instruments must be ergonomically designed to ensure minimum fatigue and maximum precision and control. 

Gesco is an award-winning medical device manufacturer with 6 decades of experience in the design, development, and manufacture of surgical instruments and implants. We offer a broad range of surgery-ready, sterile, and superior-quality surgical instruments to meet the needs of diverse surgical procedures. 

Visit our website now to find out more.