Shopping for Forceps and Medical Scissors
Ensuring you have the proper amount of forceps and medical scissors is crucial in any
medical facility, especially those focused around surgery and OB/GYN. Being prepared
for any situation means you need more than just the basic tools. These medical
instruments are useful in a wide range of specialties, helping patients needing care from
branches as far reaching as ophthalmology and orthopedic care.
A Quick History of Forceps and Scissors as Surgical Instruments
Looking at pictures of the antique versions of these tools is like being sent into a horror
show. However crude they appear to the modern aesthetic, the methods they encouraged
live on as current manufacturers provide what we recognize as helpful tools providing
acute instrumentation of medical procedures.
While many early tools, including both human and veterinary surgical instruments (like a
rongeurs and elevator), were made out of bone and wood, our modern tools are made out
of stainless steel and titanium. This evolution has occurred through a variety of eras; the
scientific revolution in the 17th century helped to spark innovation, as did the needs that
arose through major war and revolutions.
For example, forceps as used in childbirth were created by Peter Chamberlen. He—and
his family—jealously guarded the secret, going so far as to blindfold patients and their
family to prevent them from discovering his method of delivery. Of course, forceps are a
wide-ranging tool now, providing the ability for a surgeon to grasp and hold tissue in a
clamp-like grip.
Scissors have been around since the first century. Their popularity as a surgical tool has
grown, evolving from the standard shear to a wide variety of specialized tools ranging
from shears that easily remove clothing without cutting the skin, to curved scissors to cut
muscles.
What’s in a Brand: Surgical Instruments, Names, and Expectations
There are many manufacturing companies for specialty surgical instrumentation. A
manufacturer like Aesculap, Assi, Bausch & Lomb, Thomas Medical, Copper Surgical or
even Miltex surgical instruments showcases highly sought after instrument companies.
Whether Weck or Electro-Medical Instruments, Integra Jarit ENT or Karl Storz, the raw
quantity of companies with medical supplies for sale highlights the global selection
available.
However, when you look at the MPM Medical Supply catalog, you’ll find not just the
best product, but also the best price. The key to keeping your medical facility afloat in
these penny-pinching times is to save money. Learning about the common features of
surgical instrument sets allows your medical jobs to be done in a cost-effective way—and
that is savings you can take to the boss.
Can you do a cesarean section with V. Mueller surgical instruments or Microaire surgical
instruments? Would having Snowden-Pencer or Konig tools on your tray make a single
difference in the surgery? No, the difference is in how much you have to take out of your
wallet.
Time For a Surgical Instruments Quiz
Don’t believe it? Still think there is a big difference between Codman surgical
instruments and Spectrum surgical instruments (by STERIS Corp)?
Quick, picture a Kocher Hemostatic Forceps—or use an image from a flashcards set. Is it
made by:
1. Roboz
2. Richards
3. SSI
4. Sklar
If you answered, “a forceps is a forceps regardless of company,” you’re right. When you
take away company identification, you’re left with a tool that a technician passes to the
surgeon.
Imagine you’re performing a laparoscopic. Are you going to eye your instrument trays
for a German stainless steel single tooth tenaculum, are you looking to use one by:
1. KMedic Teleflex, Inc
2. Millennium
3. Thompson
4. Pilling
Tech students might want to answer the most obvious name on the list, however, the truth
is that an instrument is used the same, regardless of company.
Specialty Surgical Instrumentation: Cleaning for Repeat Uses
USA laws dictate that medical facilities remain sterile. Your forceps and surgery scissors
need to be sterilized frequently. Commonly used methods sterilize your instruments so
they can be mobile at a moment’s notice.
Sterilization of instruments keeps patients healthy and safe, and healthy, safe patients
means your organization is, too. One method for cleaning forceps and scissors is with an
UltraSonic. Whether you’re doing an ophthalmic procedure or doing dental work,
instrument cleaners are easy to learn and allow your organization to be by the book.
In some situations you may need an alternative to an instrument cleaner. When speed
dictates that you don’t have time to sterilize properly, there are disposable instruments
available.
Brushes With Repairs of Surgical Instruments
It can test your spine when you have fine instruments that need repair. While you could
learn how to fix things yourself, you probably don’t have the salary to do so. Retained
damage reduces the effectiveness of your instruments—you can’t afford for a
malfunctioning set of scissors to be in your operating room.
You are left with two options: replace or repair. There are various civil companies who
provide both repair and sharpening services. You can find a list or catalogue of such
companies online.
With all of the options for instrument importers, you need a company like MPM Medical
Supply: A-grade products, low prices!