This document categorizes and describes common surgical instruments used for cutting, grasping, clamping, dilating, and probing. It discusses scalpels, scissors, forceps, clamps, specula, scopes, retractors, and dilators. For each instrument type, it provides examples of specific instruments, describes their uses and features. It also briefly mentions common surgical procedures like setting up a sterile field, staple removal, wound irrigation and suturing, and incision and drainage.

1. Surgical Instruments and common surgical procedures

2. Categories of InstrumentsInstrumentusageScissors and ScalpelsHemostats, Forceps, and ClampsSpecula, Scopes, Probes, Retractors, and DilatorsCuttingGrasping and ClampingDilating and Probing

3. Cutting

4. Disposable ScalpelUsed to cut the skin, sometimes called a surgical knife

5. Surgical BladesMost common sizes are #11, #10, and #15#22#23#24#10#15#21#13#12#11

6. Straight ScissorsSharp/SharpBlunt/BluntSharp/Blunt

7. Curved ScissorsSharp/SharpSharp/BluntBlunt/Blunt

8. Mayo Dissecting ScissorsStraightCurvedHeavy-duty with narrowed but blunt pointed blades

9. Iris ScissorsstraightcurvedSmall scissors designed for fine detail

10. Suture Removal ScissorsHook-shaped point on one blade used to hook under the stitch before cutting Straightangled

11. Bandage ScissorsDesigned for cutting bandages on patients without cutting the patientLister scissors Knowles scissors

12. GraspingandClamping

13. Hemostat ForcepsMosquitoKellySerrations only alongpart of the tipSerrations alongthe entire tips Some may have teethAll may be straight or curved

14. Thumb ForcepsSometimes called “pick-ups”Some with teeth are called tissue forceps

15. Ear and Nasal ForcepsHartman forcepsAlligator forcepsBent for ease in ear and nose procedures

16. Sponge ForcepsUsed to hold surgical gauze spongesMay be straight or curved

17. Towel ClampUsed for fixing drapes to the skin of anesthetized patients

18. Needle HolderOften called needle driversHolds needles firmly without crushing

19. Dilatingandprobing

20. Specula and ScopesAre used to expose body orifices by widening for better viewingVaginal SpeculumAnoscope/ProctoscopeNasal Speculum

21. RetractorsUsed to hook and retract the edges of a wound for better viewWeitlaner retractorVolkman RetractorSelf -retainingManual

22. DilatorsDouble-ended metal rods ranging in sizeused for gradually dilating an openingHegar DilatorsPratt Dilators

23. Setting up a sterile field

24. Staple Removal

25. Wound Irrigation and Suturing

26. Incision and Drainage