101 Surgical Tech Instruments To Know

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Surgical technologists, also known as operating room technicians, play a crucial role in the healthcare industry. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that the operating room is equipped with the necessary instruments and equipment, and that the surgical team has everything they need to perform a successful surgery. In order to do this effectively, surgical technologists must be familiar with a wide range of surgical instruments.

Knowing the names and functions of various surgical instruments is essential for surgical technologists to perform their job duties efficiently. In this article, we will discuss 101 surgical tech instruments that every surgical technologist should know.

Introduction to Surgical Instruments

Surgical instruments are designed to perform specific tasks during surgical procedures. They can be made of various materials, including stainless steel, titanium, and ceramic. Surgical instruments can be categorized into several groups, including:

• Cutting instruments: These instruments are used to cut tissue, such as scalpels and surgical scissors.
• Grasping instruments: These instruments are used to grasp and hold tissue, such as forceps and clamps.
• Retracting instruments: These instruments are used to retract tissue, such as retractors and malleable retractors.
• Electrocautery instruments: These instruments are used to cut and coagulate tissue using electrical energy.

Cutting Instruments

Cutting instruments are used to cut tissue during surgical procedures. Here are some common cutting instruments that every surgical technologist should know:

1. Scalpel: A scalpel is a handheld instrument used to make incisions in the skin.
2. Surgical scissors: Surgical scissors are used to cut tissue, such as skin, muscle, and organs.
3. Electrocautery unit: An electrocautery unit is used to cut and coagulate tissue using electrical energy.
4. Laser: A laser is a high-energy beam of light that can be used to cut tissue.
5. Harmonic scalpel: A harmonic scalpel is a type of surgical instrument that uses ultrasonic energy to cut tissue.

Grasping Instruments

Grasping instruments are used to grasp and hold tissue during surgical procedures. Here are some common grasping instruments that every surgical technologist should know:

1. Forceps: Forceps are used to grasp and hold tissue, such as skin, muscle, and organs.
2. Allis tissue forceps: Allis tissue forceps are used to grasp and hold tissue, such as skin and muscle.
3. Babcock forceps: Babcock forceps are used to grasp and hold tissue, such as skin and muscle.
4. DeBakey forceps: DeBakey forceps are used to grasp and hold tissue, such as skin and muscle.
5. Doyen intestinal forceps: Doyen intestinal forceps are used to grasp and hold tissue, such as intestine.

Retracting Instruments

Retracting instruments are used to retract tissue during surgical procedures. Here are some common retracting instruments that every surgical technologist should know:

1. Retractor: A retractor is used to retract tissue, such as skin and muscle.
2. Malleable retractor: A malleable retractor is used to retract tissue, such as skin and muscle.
3. Self-retaining retractor: A self-retaining retractor is used to retract tissue, such as skin and muscle.
4. Weitlaner retractor: A Weitlaner retractor is used to retract tissue, such as skin and muscle.
5. Gelpi retractor: A Gelpi retractor is used to retract tissue, such as skin and muscle.

Electrocautery Instruments

Electrocautery instruments are used to cut and coagulate tissue using electrical energy. Here are some common electrocautery instruments that every surgical technologist should know:

1. Electrocautery unit: An electrocautery unit is used to cut and coagulate tissue using electrical energy.
2. Electrocautery pencil: An electrocautery pencil is used to cut and coagulate tissue using electrical energy.
3. Electrocautery needle: An electrocautery needle is used to cut and coagulate tissue using electrical energy.
4. Argon coagulator: An argon coagulator is used to coagulate tissue using argon gas.
5. Plasma coagulator: A plasma coagulator is used to coagulate tissue using plasma energy.

Suturing Instruments

Suturing instruments are used to close wounds and incisions during surgical procedures. Here are some common suturing instruments that every surgical technologist should know:

1. Suture needle: A suture needle is used to sew tissue together.
2. Suture scissors: Suture scissors are used to cut suture material.
3. Suture forceps: Suture forceps are used to grasp and hold suture material.
4. Suture passer: A suture passer is used to pass suture material through tissue.
5. Suture remover: A suture remover is used to remove sutures from tissue.

Orthopedic Instruments

Orthopedic instruments are used to treat musculoskeletal disorders and injuries during surgical procedures. Here are some common orthopedic instruments that every surgical technologist should know:

1. Bone cutter: A bone cutter is used to cut bone.
2. Bone file: A bone file is used to smooth out bone.
3. Bone rasp: A bone rasp is used to smooth out bone.
4. Bone saw: A bone saw is used to cut bone.
5. Orthopedic screwdriver: An orthopedic screwdriver is used to drive screws into bone.

Gastrointestinal Instruments

Gastrointestinal instruments are used to treat disorders and injuries of the digestive system during surgical procedures. Here are some common gastrointestinal instruments that every surgical technologist should know:

1. Gastrointestinal stapler: A gastrointestinal stapler is used to staple tissue.
2. Gastrointestinal cutter: A gastrointestinal cutter is used to cut tissue.
3. Gastrointestinal forceps: Gastrointestinal forceps are used to grasp and hold tissue.
4. Gastrointestinal retractor: A gastrointestinal retractor is used to retract tissue.
5. Gastrointestinal suction: A gastrointestinal suction is used to remove fluid and tissue.

Neurosurgical Instruments

Neurosurgical instruments are used to treat disorders and injuries of the nervous system during surgical procedures. Here are some common neurosurgical instruments that every surgical technologist should know:

1. Neurosurgical scissors: Neurosurgical scissors are used to cut tissue.
2. Neurosurgical forceps: Neurosurgical forceps are used to grasp and hold tissue.
3. Neurosurgical retractor: A neurosurgical retractor is used to retract tissue.
4. Neurosurgical suction: A neurosurgical suction is used to remove fluid and tissue.
5. Neurosurgical ultrasonic aspirator: A neurosurgical ultrasonic aspirator is used to remove tissue using ultrasonic energy.

Obstetric and Gynecologic Instruments

Obstetric and gynecologic instruments are used to treat disorders and injuries of the female reproductive system during surgical procedures. Here are some common obstetric and gynecologic instruments that every surgical technologist should know:

1. Obstetric forceps: Obstetric forceps are used to grasp and hold tissue.
2. Obstetric scissors: Obstetric scissors are used to cut tissue.
3. Obstetric retractor: An obstetric retractor is used to retract tissue.
4. Obstetric suction: An obstetric suction is used to remove fluid and tissue.
5. Gynecologic stapler: A gynecologic stapler is used to staple tissue.

Urologic Instruments

Urologic instruments are used to treat disorders and injuries of the urinary system during surgical procedures. Here are some common urologic instruments that every surgical technologist should know:

1. Urologic forceps: Urologic forceps are used to grasp and hold tissue.
2. Urologic scissors: Urologic scissors are used to cut tissue.
3. Urologic retractor: A urologic retractor is used to retract tissue.
4. Urologic suction: A urologic suction is used to remove fluid and tissue.
5. Urologic stapler: A urologic stapler is used to staple tissue.

Gallery of Surgical Instruments

FAQs

Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing the names and functions of various surgical instruments is essential for surgical technologists to perform their job duties efficiently. In this article, we discussed 101 surgical tech instruments that every surgical technologist should know, including cutting instruments, grasping instruments, retracting instruments, and suturing instruments. We also discussed the different types of surgical instruments, how surgical technologists prepare for surgical procedures, and the role of a surgical technologist during a surgical procedure.