Surgical Assisting
Roles and Responsibilities - ANSWER
Surgical Instruments - ANSWER- Four categories of surgical instruments
-Cutting instruments (Scalpels, scissors, lasers)
- Hemostatic instruments (hemostatic forceps, clamps)
- Retractors (Hand held, self-retaining)
- Specialized Instruments (Ophthalmic, Orthopedic, Neurosurgical)
Scalpel Handles/ Blades - ANSWER- #3 handle is most common
- #4 handle used for large animal surgery
- 10 and 15 blades most common blades used
Electrosurgery - ANSWER- Cut and/or coagulate tissue simultaneously
- Works by passing electrical current or radio waves through the tissue
- Provides surgeon with more control over bleeding
- May also be used to cauterize bleeding tissue or vessels
- units may be small, battery powered, or larger and more powerful
- Larger units have a variety of settings for cutting, cauterizing, and coagulation of tissue
- Ideal for patients where bleeding even small amounts of blood loss would be dangerous (avian, reptile, small
mammals)
Electrosurgical unit - ANSWER
Precautions of electrosurgery - ANSWER- Poor contact between the patient and ground plate may cause
burns. *the patient needs to be well grounded. (Don't place under delicate tissues!)*
- Do not use near alcohol
- Area needs to be dry prior to cauterizing (blot away all blood and fluids)
, Scissors - ANSWER- Uses: Cutting tissue, sutures, wire, or bandage materials
- Named according to purpose, shape of blades, and whether the blades are straight or curved
- Can be Sharp-Sharp, Sharp-Blunt, or Blunt-Blunt
Mayo scissors - ANSWERFor heavy duty cutting
Metzenbaum scissors - ANSWERFor delicate cutting and direction (such as a spay)
Littauer scissors - ANSWER- Not used for cutting wires
Wire cutting scissors - ANSWER
Sharp-Sharp Surgical Scissors - ANSWER
Lister bandage scissors - ANSWER
Utility scissors - ANSWER
Needle Holders - ANSWER- Holding and driving curved suture needles and tying suture material
- Named according to shape of tips and whether or not scissors are present
- Have jaws, a (box) hinge, and locking device (ratchet) to securely hold needle and prevent twisting and finger
rings
- Frequently have tungsten carbide inserts in jaws that is resistant to wear and can be replaced when worn
(usually indicated by gold handles)
How to grip needle holders - ANSWER1. Place thumb in first ring
2. Place index finger near the hinge
3. Place middle finger above the second ring
4. Place ring finger in second ring
Roles and Responsibilities - ANSWER
Surgical Instruments - ANSWER- Four categories of surgical instruments
-Cutting instruments (Scalpels, scissors, lasers)
- Hemostatic instruments (hemostatic forceps, clamps)
- Retractors (Hand held, self-retaining)
- Specialized Instruments (Ophthalmic, Orthopedic, Neurosurgical)
Scalpel Handles/ Blades - ANSWER- #3 handle is most common
- #4 handle used for large animal surgery
- 10 and 15 blades most common blades used
Electrosurgery - ANSWER- Cut and/or coagulate tissue simultaneously
- Works by passing electrical current or radio waves through the tissue
- Provides surgeon with more control over bleeding
- May also be used to cauterize bleeding tissue or vessels
- units may be small, battery powered, or larger and more powerful
- Larger units have a variety of settings for cutting, cauterizing, and coagulation of tissue
- Ideal for patients where bleeding even small amounts of blood loss would be dangerous (avian, reptile, small
mammals)
Electrosurgical unit - ANSWER
Precautions of electrosurgery - ANSWER- Poor contact between the patient and ground plate may cause
burns. *the patient needs to be well grounded. (Don't place under delicate tissues!)*
- Do not use near alcohol
- Area needs to be dry prior to cauterizing (blot away all blood and fluids)
, Scissors - ANSWER- Uses: Cutting tissue, sutures, wire, or bandage materials
- Named according to purpose, shape of blades, and whether the blades are straight or curved
- Can be Sharp-Sharp, Sharp-Blunt, or Blunt-Blunt
Mayo scissors - ANSWERFor heavy duty cutting
Metzenbaum scissors - ANSWERFor delicate cutting and direction (such as a spay)
Littauer scissors - ANSWER- Not used for cutting wires
Wire cutting scissors - ANSWER
Sharp-Sharp Surgical Scissors - ANSWER
Lister bandage scissors - ANSWER
Utility scissors - ANSWER
Needle Holders - ANSWER- Holding and driving curved suture needles and tying suture material
- Named according to shape of tips and whether or not scissors are present
- Have jaws, a (box) hinge, and locking device (ratchet) to securely hold needle and prevent twisting and finger
rings
- Frequently have tungsten carbide inserts in jaws that is resistant to wear and can be replaced when worn
(usually indicated by gold handles)
How to grip needle holders - ANSWER1. Place thumb in first ring
2. Place index finger near the hinge
3. Place middle finger above the second ring
4. Place ring finger in second ring
