Surgical scissors are
scissors
Scissors are hand-operated shearing tools. A pair of scissors consists of a pair of metal blades pivoted so that the sharpened edges slide against each other when the handles (bows) opposite to the pivot are closed. Scissors are used for cutti ...
specially manufactured as
surgical instruments, typically used for cutting sutures, dressings, and cutting and dissecting biological tissue.
Surgical scissors are usually made of
surgical steel. Some have
tungsten carbide
Tungsten carbide (chemical formula: WC) is a chemical compound (specifically, a carbide) containing equal parts of tungsten and carbon atoms. In its most basic form, tungsten carbide is a fine gray powder, but it can be pressed and formed into ...
reinforcements along their cutting edges, the
hardness
In materials science, hardness (antonym: softness) is a measure of the resistance to localized plastic deformation induced by either mechanical indentation or abrasion. In general, different materials differ in their hardness; for example hard ...
of which allows manufacturers to create sharper and more durable edges.
Mechanical types of scissors
There are two main mechanical types of scissors used in
surgery
Surgery ''cheirourgikē'' (composed of χείρ, "hand", and ἔργον, "work"), via la, chirurgiae, meaning "hand work". is a medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a person to investigate or treat a pat ...
:
* Ring scissors, which look and function much like standard utility scissors with ring finger loops
* Spring forceps are small scissors used mostly in
eye surgery
Eye surgery, also known as ophthalmic or ocular surgery, is surgery performed on the eye or its adnexa, by an ophthalmologist or sometimes, an optometrist. Eye surgery is synonymous with ophthalmology. The eye is a very fragile organ, and requ ...
or
microsurgery
Microsurgery is a general term for surgery requiring an operating microscope. The most obvious developments have been procedures developed to allow anastomosis of successively smaller blood vessels and nerves (typically 1 mm in diameter) which ...
. The handles end in flat springs connected with a pivot joint. The cutting action is achieved by pressing the handles together. As the pressure is released, the spring action opens the jaws.
Scissors are available in various configurations like
* Blunt/blunt blades
* Blunt/sharp blades
* Sharp/sharp blades
Examples
Some examples of surgical scissors include:
*
Bandage scissors
Bandage scissors, or bandage forceps, are scissors that often have an angled tip with a blunt tip on the bottom blade. This helps in cutting bandages without gouging the skin.
Lister bandage scissors and utility bandage scissors exhibit the well ...
* Dissecting scissors
*
Iris scissors
Iris scissors are a type of scissors with short blades that was originally developed for ophthalmic surgery.http://www.mortechmfg.com%2Fimages%2Fpdffiles%2Fsection1%2Fsuper_cut_scissors.pdf They are alternatively referred to as Iris forceps in th ...
* Suture scissors
*
Tenotomy scissors
Tenotomy scissors are surgical scissors used to perform delicate surgery. They can be straight or curved, and blunt or sharp, depending upon necessity. This equipment can be used in many surgical specialties, in particular delicate operations i ...
*
Metzenbaum scissors
Metzenbaum scissors are surgical scissors designed for cutting delicate tissue and blunt dissection. The scissors come in variable lengths and have a relatively long shank-to-blade ratio. They are constructed of stainless steel and may have tung ...
* Plastic surgery (
facelift
A facelift, technically known as a rhytidectomy (from the Ancient Greek () "wrinkle", and () "excision", the surgical removal of wrinkles), is a type of cosmetic surgery procedure used to give a more youthful facial appearance. There are mul ...
) scissors
*
Mayo scissors
Mayo scissors are a type of surgical scissor, often used in the cutting of fascia.
Etymology
Mayo scissors were developed by Mayo Clinic surgeons.
Description
Mayo scissors may be made from stainless steel or titanium, with stainless steel ones ...
Gallery
File:Metzenbaum scissors 04.jpg, Metzenbaum scissors
Metzenbaum scissors are surgical scissors designed for cutting delicate tissue and blunt dissection. The scissors come in variable lengths and have a relatively long shank-to-blade ratio. They are constructed of stainless steel and may have tung ...
File:Surgical scissors 07.JPG , Mayo scissors
Mayo scissors are a type of surgical scissor, often used in the cutting of fascia.
Etymology
Mayo scissors were developed by Mayo Clinic surgeons.
Description
Mayo scissors may be made from stainless steel or titanium, with stainless steel ones ...
File:Bandage Scissors.JPG , Bandage scissors
File:Surgical scissors 03.JPG , Spring forceps scissors
See also
*
Trauma shears
Trauma shears, also known as Tuff Cuts (a brand name), are a type of scissors used by paramedics and other emergency medical personnel to quickly and safely cut clothing from injured people. They usually consist of a plastic handle with a metal bl ...
*
Bandage scissors
Bandage scissors, or bandage forceps, are scissors that often have an angled tip with a blunt tip on the bottom blade. This helps in cutting bandages without gouging the skin.
Lister bandage scissors and utility bandage scissors exhibit the well ...
*
Hemostat
A hemostat (also called a hemostatic clamp, arterial forceps, or pean after Jules-Émile Péan) is a surgical tool used in many surgical procedures to control bleeding. For this reason, it is common in the initial phases of surgery for the initia ...
, a surgical clamp resembling scissors
*
Needle holder
A needle holder, also called needle driver or needle forceps, is a surgical instrument similar to a hemostat, used by doctors and surgeons to hold and push a suturing needle when performing wound closure, ligation and other surgical procedure ...
, an instrument resembling scissors used to hold a suturing needle
References
External links
*
Scissors
Surgical instruments
{{medical-equipment-stub