Surgical Forceps: Essential Tools in the Operating Room
According to the statistics reported by the National Institutes of Health, every year, approximately 64 million surgeries are performed in the United States. These include all kinds of procedures ranging from dental operations to cardiac surgeries. To conduct these operations, special kinds of surgical tools are required which are inclusive of surgical forceps. These surgical forceps are part of every surgeon’s kit. As many different designs and sizes of forceps are available, the most suited product is chosen depending on the requirements.
Surgical forceps and other instruments used for open surgeries
Considering their importance in surgery, the following article focuses on different types of surgical forceps, their functions, as well as their notable brands.
Types of Surgical Forceps
Broadly, surgical forceps can be classified into two categories. These include:
Thumb Forceps
Thumb forceps are also called surgical tweezers as well as pinning forceps. This kind of forceps is held between the thumb and forefingers. Their style is non-ratcheted which means these cannot be locked in place while use. Their primary function is to hold, move, or remove body tissues during surgery. When it comes to their tips, various options are available which include the following:
- Flat tip
- Straight tip
- Curved tip
- Angled tip
- Cupped tip
- Serrated tip
- Ringed tip
- Grooved tip
- Teethed tip
- Diamond dusted tip
Usually, the surgical forceps with serrated or teethed tips are easy to use as less pressure is required to hold them in place. Moreover, their grip over the tissues is more and the risk of slipping is minimal. In comparison, surgical forceps with smooth tips have grip issues but are ideal for moving surgical dressing as well as removing sutures.
Ring Forceps
Ring forceps resemble scissors in their design but their tips have been molded into a loop-like structure. These have a locking mechanism that enables the surgeon to lock the instrument in place for the necessary time period. This allows her to have both hands free while the tissues are being held by the ring surgical forceps. Other names for ring forceps are hemostats, locking forceps, and hemostatic forceps.
Ring forceps are employed during delicate operations to hold, grasp, or exert traction upon the objects. However, if they are employed for controlling blood flow by clamping the blood vessels, these are called hemostats. The jaw shape in these types of surgical forceps is either straight or curved in addition to right-angled.
Forceps with thinner ends are ideal for handling delicate tissues
Ratcheted vs Non-Ratcheted Surgical Forceps
Depending upon the presence or absence of a locking mechanism, the surgical forceps can be further divided into the following:
Ratcheted Surgical Forceps
The surgical forceps which have a locking mechanism called a ratchet are called ratcheted forceps. These are employed for clamping. This category includes the following surgical forceps:
1. Sawtell Forceps
Sawtell forceps are curved at the end and have serrations as well. These are ideal for grasping blood vessels before ligating them.
2. Allis Forceps
Allis surgical forceps are toothed in shape. These are employed for grasping the tissues. These provide firm hold which ensures that the tissue will not slip away or get damaged.
3. Babcock Forceps
Babcock surgical forceps are scissor-like in their shape but the tip is jawed. However, the texture of the tip is smooth and non-teethed. These types of forceps are ideal for delicate tissues such as those of the intestines.
4. Littlewoods Forceps
Littlewoods surgical forceps have teethed ends which are blunt in shape. These instruments are often employed during laparoscopic surgeries, especially for gaining entry through the umbilicus.
5. Dunhill Forceps
Dunhill surgical forceps have smaller curved ends with serrations. These are usually employed for grasping blood vessels before ligating them.
Round-edged forceps are suitable for clipping blood vessels
6. Lane Tissue Forceps
Lane tissue surgical forceps have strong locking mechanisms which are supported by the presence of teeth. Like the Allis and Littlewoods forceps, these instruments are employed for holding tough tissues such as fascia.
7. Spencer Wells Forceps
Spencer Wells forceps are also employed for clamping blood vessels before ligation. These are available in both straight as well as curved forms and are suitable for medium to large blood vessels.
Non-Ratcheted Surgical Forceps
Non-ratcheted forceps cannot be locked and have to be held during employment. These can further be classified as follows:
1. Gillies Forceps
Gillies forceps are narrow and have a toothed end. These are employed for grasping skin tissue.
2. Lanes Forceps
Lanes forceps are used for grasping body tissues and have toothed ends. Apart from intestinal tissues, these can be employed for grasping and holding any kind of body tissue.
3. Debakey Forceps
Debacky forceps are non-toothed and can be employed for bowel handling with safety.
Serrated ends ensure a stronger grip with minimum risk of slippage
Surgical Forceps at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications
Surgical forceps are the tools required for holding, grasping, and moving body tissues during a medical procedure. These are needed in almost every procedure but depending upon the body organ as well as the procedure to be conducted, the designs and shapes of surgical forceps also vary. Considering their essentiality, many different types of surgical forceps are available at the Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below along with their features and purchase links:
MedGyn Halsted Mosquito Hemostatic Forceps
US$49.88 to $66.88
Product Details
MedGyn Halsted mosquito hemostatic forceps are often chosen for conducting gynecological examinations as well as surgeries. These instruments have long and thinner legs, a feature which has given them their name due to their resemblance to mosquito legs.
These Halsted mosquito hemostatic surgical forceps are available in both straight and curved options. Among these, straight, straight with delicate teeth, as well as straight with 1×2 teeth are manufactured. All of these surgical forceps are 5 inches or 127 millimeters (mm) long.
In addition, the Halsted mosquito curved, curved with delicate teeth, as well as with 1×2 teeth are also available in the above-mentioned length. Moreover, the ECO-Halsted mosquito hemostatic forceps economy is also an option.
All of these surgical forceps are known for their stronger grip when it comes to holding body tissues, dressing materials, or blood vessels to reduce the risk of bleeding. To further increase the surgeon’s comfort, these forceps have been affixed with a fingertip grip system which shifts the control from palms to the fingertips.
The construction material is stainless steel which is either of surgical grade or premium German one. Due to the strength of this material, the product can last for longer and tolerate repeated sterilizations.
MedGyn Foerster Dressing Forceps
US$124.88
Product Details
MedGyn Foerster dressing forceps are employed during uterine or cervical procedures to hold the gauze squares. This facilitates the absorption of blood and body fluids especially when an open surgery is being conducted. These Foerster forceps have stainless steel as their construction material which gives them immense strength and longevity.
The MedGyn Foerster dressing forceps come in different sizes and shapes. These include Foerster dressing forceps with serrated jaws which are available in both straight as well as curved options. In addition, the smooth-jawed Foerster dressing forceps can also be bought in both straight and curved shapes. All of these products have a length of 91/2 inches or 241 mm.
MedGyn Tissue Forceps
US$95.88
Product Details
MedGyn tissue forceps are non-sterile products that are manufactured using high-grade stainless steel. Therefore, these forceps can be sterilized by autoclaving multiple times without getting damaged. The surgeon’s comfort is ensured due to the presence of a fingerring handle.
Two types of MedGyn tissue forceps are available which include small as well as large products with 1×2 teeth. The smaller one is 8 inches or 203 mm long while the larger one has a length of 10 inches or 254 mm.
MedGyn 031196 Adson Tissue Forceps 4¾” (121mm) 1×2 Teeth
US$94.88
Product Details
MedGyn Adson tissue forceps, also known as thumb forceps or surgical forceps, with 1×2 teeth are another essential when it comes to gynecological surgeries. These are 4¾ inches or about 121 mm long. Owing to their stainless steel construction, these MedGyn Adson tissue forceps can be autoclaved. This way, the same product can be employed for different patients after thorough sterilization.
These MedGyn Adson tissue forceps provide a stronger grip due to the presence of serrations on them. These are anti-slip and facilitate longer use with minimum risk of tissue damage. Moreover, these forceps are also known for their precision during delicate tissue handling.
Sklar 98-4210 Biemer Approximator Forceps EACH
US$1,637.88
Product Details
Sklar 98-4210 Biemer Approximator forceps EACH are the surgical forceps that have been designed to conduct cardiovascular procedures. Their locking system is strong and ensures tissue safety by applying gentle pressure. The length of the product is up to 5.75 inches.
These Sklar 98-4210 Biemer Approximator forceps come unsterilized but can be autoclaved. Their construction material is premium OR-grade stainless steel. As for their shape, these products are straighter in construction and a curved option is not available. Moreover, these surgical forceps are sold with a lifetime guarantee.
Sklar Bariatric Lawrence Forceps EACH
US$860.88 to $1,024.88
Product Details
Sklar Bariatric Lawrence forceps EACH are hemostatic forceps employed for holding blood vessels to reduce the chances of blood loss during surgical procedures. The construction material used for constructing these forceps is latex-free stainless steel. Due to this, these products are not only easy to sterilize but also do not cause skin irritation, especially in subjects with sensitive skin.
These Sklar bariatric Lawrence forceps are available in both straight as well as curved shapes and the most suitable one can be selected based on the type of procedure to be conducted. As the product is reusable, it can be employed again and again after thorough sterilization.
Moreover, these forceps are available in straight and curved forms. In straight shape, these are available in 16 inches, 18 inches, and 20 inches lengths while in curved shape, 18 inches and 20 inches options are available.
*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.
Stainless steel hemostatic forceps
The different types of surgical forceps mentioned in the article, along with many other medical supplies, can be ordered from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link given in the article to check out different types of surgical forceps.
Bottom Line
Surgical forceps are one of the essential instruments required to conduct operations. These forceps can hold, grasp, lift, move, or remove body tissues as well as sutures or surgical dressings. Moreover, their different shapes and designs render them specific for certain operations.
These are often manufactured using high-grade stainless steel. However, plastic-based options are also available which can be disposed of after use. Both have their benefits and losses as reusable surgical forceps are expensive but last for longer and can be sterilized. However, the disposable ones are cheaper and reduce the risk of infection transmission but are not strong enough in some cases.
Hence, the need for surgical forceps in healthcare facilities including hospitals, clinics, as well as dental facilities is undeniable. Therefore, keeping a stock for future use is always a good idea. For purchasing the different types of surgical forceps, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
References
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
