Surgical Instrumentation & Equipment Flashcards

Which suture needle point is best suited for suturing tough, dense tissue such as fascia or skin?

Answer: Cutting needle

Cutting needles have a sharp, triangular cross-section that can penetrate dense tissue such as fascia, skin, and tendons where tapered needles would bend.

A Weitlaner self-retaining retractor is most commonly used for:

Answer: Small superficial wound retraction

The Weitlaner retractor has small, rake-like blades ideal for holding open small, superficial wounds during minor surgical procedures.

The harmonic scalpel (ultrasonic dissector) achieves hemostasis through which mechanism?

Answer: Ultrasonic vibration causing protein denaturation and coagulation at low temperatures

The harmonic scalpel uses ultrasonic vibration (55,000 Hz) to denature protein, coagulating vessels at temperatures much lower (50–100°C) than electrosurgery.

Which instrument is used to measure intraocular pressure during ophthalmic procedures?

Answer: Tonometer

A tonometer measures intraocular pressure (IOP) and is essential in ophthalmic surgery and diagnosis of glaucoma.

The Frazier suction tip is specifically designed for use in which surgical specialty?

Answer: Neurosurgery and ENT

The Frazier suction tip has a small-caliber angled tip ideal for evacuating blood and fluid from small operative fields in neurosurgical and ENT procedures.

Which instrument is used to create a purse-string suture around the anastomosis site during colon resection?

Answer: Purse-string clamp

A purse-string clamp has evenly spaced notches that guide placement of a continuous suture circumferentially, used to secure the bowel ends before circular stapler insertion.