Instruments used in general surgery

Instruments Used in General Surgery

General surgery is a medical specialty that requires a variety of instruments for different surgical procedures. These instruments are essential for making precise incisions, holding tissues, clamping blood vessels, and other tasks necessary during surgery. Understanding the function and classification of these instruments is crucial for medical professionals in the surgical field.

A tray of assorted surgical instruments.

Classification of Surgical Instruments

Surgical instruments can be classified based on their function into several categories:

• Cutting and Dissecting Instruments: These include scalpels, scissors, and saws used for cutting tissues and making incisions.
• Grasping and Holding Instruments: Forceps and clamps fall into this category, used for manipulating or holding tissues and vessels.
• Hemostatic Instruments: Such as hemostats and artery forceps, are designed to control bleeding by clamping blood vessels.
• Retractors: Used to hold back tissues and organs to expose the surgical area.
• Suturing Instruments: Including needle holders and suturing needles, are used for stitching tissues together after surgery.

A scalpel and forceps, essential instruments in general surgery.

Commonly Used Surgical Instruments

Some of the most commonly used instruments in general surgery include:

• Scalpels: A small and extremely sharp bladed instrument used for making incisions.
• Scissors: Surgical scissors are specialized to cut tissues and come in various shapes and sizes for different applications.
• Forceps: Tweezer-like tools used for grasping, holding, and maneuvering tissues and other materials.
• Hemostats: Clamp-like instruments used to control bleeding by clamping blood vessels.
• Needle Holders: Designed to hold suturing needles while stitching wounds.

Specialized Surgical Instruments

In addition to the basic instruments, there are specialized tools designed for specific procedures:

• Laparoscopic Instruments: Used in minimally invasive surgeries, these include trocars, graspers, and scissors designed to operate through small incisions.
• Orthopedic Instruments: Such as bone saws, drills, and mallets used in surgeries involving bones and joints.
• Neurosurgical Instruments: Designed for operations on the brain and spinal cord, including microscopes and specialized retractors.

Care and Maintenance

Proper care and maintenance of surgical instruments are critical to ensure their functionality and longevity. This includes regular cleaning, sterilization, and inspection for damage or wear.

See Also

• General surgery
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Sterilization
• Operating Room

References

• Schwartz's Principles of Surgery. "Surgical Instruments in General Surgery."
• Medical University Handbook. "Classification and Application of Surgical Instruments."

External Links

• World Health Organization: Surgical Instruments - Basic Set
• American College of Surgeons: Educational Resources

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