There are basically two categories of surgical instruments: general surgical instruments and specialized surgical instruments. Specialized surgical instruments are used for a specific purpose during a specific type of surgery, and general surgical instruments are commonly used in just about any type of surgery.
Scalpels
Every surgeon must master the art of using a scalpel. The scalpel is the instrument used to perform the initial incisions to gain entry into the body. Scalpels are small, sharp knives that allow for precise and clean cuts.
The scalpel consists of a handle and a blade. The blades may be either reusable (which would be sterilized between patients) or disposable. Scalpel blades may be made from stainless steel, high carbon steel, titanium, diamond or ceramic, and the type of surgery or incision needed may determine the type of blade used.
Forceps
Forceps are similar to tweezers, or pliers, although most patients would probably not like to hear the word pliers used in the operating room. Forceps are a hinged instrument used to grasp and hold objects, commonly used to hold open skin and tissue to allow the surgeon to see into the body. There are many different kinds of forceps ranging from the very small to hold delicate tissues to the large. Larger forceps, such as those used to help deliver a baby, resemble salad tongs.
Suture Needles
Just about every surgery will require sutures, or stitches, that are put into place using a suture needle. Suture needles are typically made from a stainless steel alloy that allows it to bend without breaking. Good suture needles are smooth, meaning they are free of any pit holes, to allow it to penetrate and move through human tissue easily.
There are several different types of suture needles that vary on how the tip is formed. The Chenguang Medical Instruments Company lists some types on its website, including tapered, conventional, reverse cutting, taper cutting and blunt. The type of surgery and tissue to be sutured will determine the best type of needle to use. Surgeons must be especially careful when using suture needles because according to The University of Virginia Health System, suture needles are the cause of 51 percent of all sharp injuries in a surgical setting.
Clamps
Surgical clamps are scissor-shaped instruments that have interlocking teeth. They are used during most surgeries to block the flow of blood or other fluids. Clamps come in many different shapes and choosing one will depend on whether the patient is a child or adult and what types of tissues or blood vessels will need to be clamped.
Retractors
Surgical retractors are instruments that are used to hold back tissue to expose the desired surgical field. Retractors are important in any surgery to help reduce unwanted trauma and injury to surrounding tissue. Retractors may be self-retaining or they may be held by a member of the operating team.
Surgical Tray
All of the surgical instruments are held on a stainless steel surgical tray. The surgical tray holds and protects the instruments during the sterilization process, in storage and during the surgery.
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