The popular Mayo Hegar needle holder is used for holding large suture needles and is often used in general surgery. This needle holder can be purchased in a number of sizes depending on the preference and need of the surgeon.

The Balfour Retractor is used for deep abdominal retraction. Modern Balfour Retractors can be purchased with interchangeable blades. The Balfour Retractor can be purchased in a 7″, 8″ or 10″ version.

Strabismus Scissors are used to cut strong muscular tissue. A popular version of the Strabismus Scissor is the Super Cut version which cuts better than a standard version. Strabismus scissors come in a straight or curved version and generally measure 4 1/2″ in length.

A Curette is used to clean diseased tissue they are also used for the purpose of biopsy. Many Curettes are spoon shaped and sharpened on the edges to help in the tissue removal process. The Bruns Curette is often used for scraping bone. The tips on the Bruns Curette can be straight or angled. The cup of the Bruns Curette comes in sizes 0000 to 6.

Hemostats or Hemostatic Clamps are used to control bleeding in surgery. Common hemostats include the Kelly, Crile, Halstead, and Carmalt.

A Gelpi Retractor is a self-retaining, small retractor suitable for small sites such as for perineal surgery in dogs or laryngotomy in horses. Two blades, hinged in the middle, separate as the handles are closed and are held open by a rachet. The blades turn down at right angles at their tips, and are bowed towards each other so that they push the edges of the incision apart and retain themselves in it. The Gelpi is often used in orthopedic and neurologic surgery among human patients.

Mayo scissors are heavier than Metzenbaum scissors due to the fact that they serve a different purpose. Mayo scissors are used for cutting Fascia and sutures which require a stronger, heavier scissor.

Metzenbaum scissors, also called, “Metz” are used for delicate dissections. The scissor is named after Dr. Myron Firth Metzenbaum. The Metzenbaum scissor comes in a variety of lengths and can be purchased in either a straight or curved version. The Metzenbaum scissor can also be purchased in a standard version, a super cut version, or a tungsten carbide, super cut version. The least expensive metzenbaum is the standard version. The price increases in the super cut version and the most expensive metzenbaum is the tungsten carbide, super cut version. Metzenbaum’s can also be purchased in a regular blade or a fino (fine) blade version. Click the image to view a larger image of this TC/SC version of the Metzenbaum scissor.