This document provides an overview of basic surgical instruments categorized into four groups: retracting and occluding instruments; cutting and dissecting instruments; clamping and occluding instruments; and grasping and holding instruments. Specific instruments are described within each category along with their common names and intended uses. Common instruments include retractors, scalpels, scissors, forceps, and hemostats. The document serves as a reference for the basic tools used in general surgical procedures.

1. BASIC
SURGICAL
INSTRUMENTS

2. BASICSURGICALINSTRUMENTS
Basic laparotomy instruments are essential to
accomplish most types of general surgery. Each
instrument can be placed into one of the four
following basic categories:
◦ Retracting and Occluding Instruments
◦ Cutting and Dissecting Instruments
◦ Clamping and Occluding Instruments
◦ Grasping and Holding Instruments

3. RetractingandExposingInstruments
used to hold back or retract organs or tissue to gain
exposure to
the operative site.
"self-retaining" (stay open on their
own) "manual" (held by hand).
When identifying retractors, look at the blade, not the
handle.

4. Retractingand ExposingInstruments
A Deaver retractor (manual) is used to retract deep
abdominal or chest incisions. Available in
various widths.

5. Retractingand ExposingInstruments
A Richardson retractor (manual) is used to retract
deep abdominal or chest incisions

6. Retractingand ExposingInstruments
An Army-Navy retractor (manual) is used to retract
shallow or superficial incisions. Other names: USA,
US Army.

7. Retractingand ExposingInstruments
A goulet (manual) is used to retract shallow or
superficial incisions.

8. Retractingand ExposingInstruments
A malleable or ribbon retractor (manual) is used to
retract deep wounds. May be bent to various
shapes.

9. Retractingand ExposingInstruments
A Weitlaner retractor (self-retaining) is used to
retract shallow incisions.

10. Retractingand ExposingInstruments
A Gelpi retractor (self-retaining) is used to retract
shallow incisions.

11. Retractingand ExposingInstruments
A Balfour with bladder blade (self-retaining) is
used to retract wound edges during deep
abdominal procedures.

12. Cutting andDissectingInstruments
are sharp and are used to cut body tissue or
surgical supplies.
Knife Handle, Scissors
(left to right)

13. Cutting andDissectingInstruments
0 blade (skin knife) - Used
to c
7 handle with 15 blade (deep knife) - Used to cut
deep, delicate tissue.
3handle with 10 blade (inside knife) – Used
to cut superficial tissue.
4 handle with 2 ut skin.
#7, #3, #4
(left to right)

14. Cutting andDissectingInstruments
Straight Mayo scissors - Used to cut
suture and supplies. Also known as:
Suture scissors.
EX: Straight Mayo scissors being used to cut
suture.

15. Cutting andDissectingInstruments
Curved Mayo scissors - Used to cut heavy tissue
(fascia, muscle, uterus, breast). Available in regular
and long sizes.

16. Cutting andDissectingInstruments
Metzenbaum scissors - Used to cut
delicate tissue. Available in regular
and long sizes.

17. ClampingandOccludingInstruments
are used to compress blood vessels or hollow
organs for hemostasis or to prevent spillage of
contents.

18. ClampingandOccludingInstruments
A hemostat is used to clamp blood vessels or tag
sutures. Its jaws may be straight or curved. Other
names: crile, snap or stat.

19. ClampingandOccludingInstruments
A mosquito is used to clamp small blood vessels.
Its
jaws may be straight or curved.
hemostat, mosquito (left to
right)

20. ClampingandOccludingInstruments
A Kelly is used to clamp larger vessels and tissue.
Available in short and long
sizes. Other names: Rochester Pean.
Kelly, hemostat, mosquito (left to
right)

21. ClampingandOccludingInstruments
A burlisher is used to clamp deep blood vessels.
Burlishers have two closed finger rings. Burlishers
with an open finger ring are called tonsil hemostats.
Other names: Schnidt tonsil forcep, Adson forcep.

22. ClampingandOccludingInstruments
A right angle is used to clamp hard-to-reach vessels
and to place sutures behind or around a vessel.
A right angle
with a suture attached is called a "tie on a passer."
Other names:
Mixter.

23. ClampingandOccludingInstruments
A hemoclip applier with hemoclips applies metal
clips onto blood vessels and ducts which will remain
occluded.
hemoclip applier with
hemoclips

24. GraspingandHoldingInstruments
are used to hold tissue, drapes or
sponges.

25. GraspingandHoldingInstruments
An Allis is used to grasp tissue. Available in short
and long sizes. A "Judd-Allis" holds
intestinal tissue; a "heavy allis" holds breast tissue.

26. GraspingandHoldingInstruments
A Babcock is used to grasp delicate tissue
(intestine, fallopian tube, ovary). Available in
short and long sizes.

27. GraspingandHoldingInstruments
A Kocher is used to grasp heavy tissue. May also be
used as a clamp. The jaws may be straight or curved.
Other names: Ochsner.

28. GraspingandHoldingInstruments
A Foerster sponge stick is used to grasp
sponges.
Othe
r names: sponge forcep.
Foerster sponge
stick
EX: Sponge sticks holding a 4
X 4 and probang.

29. GraspingandHoldingInstruments
A dissector is used to hold a
peanut.
dissector
EX: Dissector holding a peanut.

30. GraspingandHoldingInstruments
A Backhaus towel clip is used to hold towels and
drapes in place. Other name: towel clip.
Backhaus towel
clip
Large & small towel
clips

31. GraspingandHoldingInstruments
Pick ups, thumb forceps and tissue forceps are
available in various lengths, with or without teeth, and
smooth or serrated jaws.

32. GraspingandHoldingInstruments
Russian tissue forceps are used to grasp
tissue.

33. GraspingandHoldingInstruments
Adson pick ups are either smooth: used to grasp
delicate tissue; or with teeth: used to grasp the skin.
Other
names: Dura forceps.

34. GraspingandHoldingInstruments
Long smooth pick-ups are called dressing forceps.
Shor
t smooth pick-ups are used to grasp delicate tissue.

35. GraspingandHoldingInstruments
DeBakey forceps are used to grasp delicate
tissue, particularly in cardiovascular surgery.

36. GraspingandHoldingInstruments
Thumb forceps are used to grasp tough tissue
(fascia, breast). Forceps may either have
many teeth or a single tooth. Single tooth
forceps are also called "rat tooth forceps."
single tooth forceps, many teeth forceps
(top to bottom)

37. GraspingandHoldingInstruments
Mayo-Hegar needle holders are used to hold needles
when suturing. They may also be placed in the
sewing category.
short, medium & long
(top to bottom)
EX: Needle holder with suture.

38. Surgical
Instruments
GRASPI NGANDCLAM PI NG
RETRACTI NG
CUTTI NGANDDI SSECTI NGP
ROBI NGANDDI LATI NG

39. SpongeForceps
 Used to hold gauze squares
or sponge to “mop up” the
surgical site
 Jaws are serrated

40. TransferForceps
When sterile,
transfer forceps;
arrange items on sterile
tray transfer items to
sterile field

41. Splinter Forceps
Fine tip for foreign
object retrieval

42. Walter SplinterForceps
Very fine tip
Spear-head
design

43. 1x2Toothed TissueForceps
Used for grasping and
holding tissue, muscle or
skin surrounding a wound
Single toothed on one side;
fits between two teeth on
the other side
Available as 1x2 or 2x3 or
3x4

44. PlainThumbForceps
Used to hold tissue in place when applying sutures
Used to gently move tissues out of the way during
exploratory
surgery
Used to insert packing into or remove objects from deep
cavities

45. CurvedMosquito Hemostat
Used to hold delicate
tissue
Used to compress
bleeding vessels
Jaws are fully serrated

46. KellyHemostat
Used to clamp small vessels or hold
tissue
Jaws are partially
serrated Curved or
straight

47. NeedleHolder
Used to hold and pass a suturing needle through
tissue Has groove to hold needle within jaws

48. TowelClamp
Adds weight to drapes and towels to ensure they stay in
place Allow exposure of the operative site

49. SkinHook
Flat end is a blunt retractor
Three-prong end may be sharp to dull
Used to retract small incisions or secure a skin edge for
suturing

50. Iris SutureScissors
Used to remove sutures
Blade has beak or hook to
slide under sutures

51. ScalpelHolder
Holds scalpel
blade Acts as a
handle

52. Lister BandageScissors
Used to remove bandages and dressings
Probe tip is blunt; inserted under bandages with relative
safety

53. Sharp/SharpScissors
Used to cut and dissect
tissue Both blade tips are
sharp

54. Sharp/Blunt Scissors
Used to cut and dissect fascia and
muscle One blunt tip and one sharp
tip

55. CurvedBlunt/Blunt Scissors
Both blade tips are
blunt Can be curved
or straight

56. EarCurrette
Can have sharp or blunt scraper
ends
Used to remove ear wax from ear
canal

57. NasalSpeculum
Used to spread nostrils during
examination

58. VaginalSpeculum
Used during
gynecological exam or
procedure
Dilates the opening of the
vaginal cavity, allowing for
inspection of the vagina
and cervix
Facilitates access for
observation and
treatment