Surgical Instrumentation & Equipment Flashcards

Which suture material is absorbable and derived from sheep intestinal submucosa?

Answer: Plain catgut

Plain catgut is a natural absorbable suture derived from sheep intestinal submucosa; it is absorbed by enzymatic proteolysis in 10–14 days.

A needle holder differs from a hemostat primarily because the needle holder has:

Answer: Crosshatched or diamond-pattern jaws to grip needles without spinning

Needle holders have specially textured (crosshatched or tungsten carbide-inlaid) jaws to securely grip suture needles and prevent rotation during suturing.

The Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain operates on which principle?

Answer: Negative pressure (closed suction) drainage

The Jackson-Pratt drain uses a collapsible bulb reservoir that creates gentle negative pressure (closed suction) to continuously drain wound secretions.

During laparoscopic surgery, the standard insufflation gas used to create the pneumoperitoneum is:

Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Carbon dioxide is used for laparoscopic insufflation because it is non-flammable, rapidly absorbed, and does not support combustion from electrosurgical sparks.

Which retractor is most commonly used to retract the liver during upper abdominal procedures such as cholecystectomy?

Answer: Deaver retractor

The Deaver retractor has a long, curved blade designed to retract deep abdominal organs such as the liver and is commonly used in upper abdominal procedures.

What is the purpose of an electrosurgical dispersive electrode (grounding pad) placed on the patient?

Answer: To return current safely from the patient back to the ESU generator

The dispersive electrode (patient return electrode) collects the current that has passed through the patient's body and safely returns it to the ESU generator, completing the circuit.