100 Surgical Instruments & Tools with Names, Uses, Pictures (2024)

Nerve Hook–No hook for a captain, but a fine one for a surgeon, the nerve hook is meant for neurosurgical procedures that call for movement or retraction of nerves and soft tissues. With no sharp edges, this is not a tool out to do any damage.

Penfield #1–Manipulate tissue, scoop small bone, or dissect with the tip. The bottom is curved and only semi-sharp.

Penfield #2–Very similar to the penfield #3, the penfield #2 has a curved but more straight edged tip. The bottoms look almost identical, and can both be used to press bone wax into bleeding bone.

Penfield #3–As stated above, this instrument is hard to differentiate from its former tool, the penfield #2. Remember that this one has a more rounded tip.

Penfield #4–Used in general surgery, neurosurgery, and more, this gentle tool is used for poking or moving tissue, and acts as an extension of your finger, allowing a fuller understanding of which tissue is being touched.

Perforating Towel Clamp–If only your hands could do all the work. Luckily, the non offensive and non penetrating towel clamps are here to hold your towels, instruments, tissues, and just give you a hand.

Poole Suction–After irrigating the abdominal cavity, use this tool to suck up fluid. The instrument’s design allows this function to be conducted without getting clogged.

Potts Scissors–These elongated finger ring scissors with a sixty to ninety degree angle are great for trimming and opening vessels in procedures around the chest.

Putti Rasp–This double ended shovel shaped instrument is a bone rasp with curved, pointed rasp surfaces at both ends. It is ideal for procedures that include gentle bone reshaping, found in neurosurgical or orthopedic surgeries. It has a narrow and sleek design that allows this tool to be fit into small spaces while affecting bone or tissue from a number of angles.

Ragnell Retractor–This tool too is a double ended double bladed piece, falling under the retractor family. Commonly used in orthopedic operations, this instrument can be used to lift parts that hold down organs or tissues.

Rat Tooth Forceps–A rat tooth suggests the intermeshing of tips on surgical instruments when they are brought together. This texture allows a good hold on tissue or other items while not causing too much damage.

Rib Approximator –This device may look intimidating but it won’t bite, it will only bring your ribs back to closure after a thoracotomy wound. A large dial moves the claws, and holds tight throughout the procedure.

Sauerbruch Rongeur–Did you know the word “rongeur” is a french word meaning rodent? This rodent tool has the strength to open bone and is often used in neurosurgery, podiatric surgery, and orthopedic surgery to open up the areas that are to be operated on. This rongeur is destiquishible by the square jaw and comfortable grip. It is a stainless steel tool.

Scapula Retractor–Did a monster crush this spatula? No, the design is intentional, as each part of this angled tool serves a significant purpose. Beginning with the ribbed handle, gripping is made comfortable and secure. The bent blade gives a stable hold, which donates secured access to the work area, and the slots in the blades serve to minimize stress on the bone.

Senn Retractor–This is not the dinner table and that surgical instrument is certainly not a fork. The Senn retractor is used to hold back surface tissue with sharp but blunt prongs. At the other end, find an angled, blunt end.

Sickle Knife–Used in procedures such as tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies, this tool can cut the mucosa and submucosa which can aid in elevation in tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedures. The tip which is found to be blunt is designed to cause as little damage to surrounding tissue as possible.

Sims Retractor–This tool is used in vagin*l procedures to retract the anterior wall and expose the posterior wall by dilating the vagin*. This gives the gynecologist a clear view of the body cavity so that he or she may understand what is happening and what to do next. When it comes to gynecological instruments, plastic materials are common, as they may only be used once. However, the sims retractor also comes available in stainless steel, in which case they must be sterilized after every use. These tools come in a variety of sizes to fit each patient appropriately.

Frontal Sinus Curette–This curette allows for exploration and scraping of tissue in the nasal cavity. According to Diseases of the Sinuses: Diagnosis and Management, Part 611 by David W. Kennedy, William E. Bolger, and S. James Zinreich, the 90 degree frontal sinus curette operates by being “inserted above the roof of the agger nasi cell. The curette is then pulled anteriorly breaking down the posterior and superior agger nasi cell walls.”

Sinus Probe–Used in sinus procedures, the sinus probe works to widen the gateway to the sinus areas.

Sinus Scissors–Used in endoscopic sinus surgery, sinus scissors feature a cutting blade and a long shaft which is perfect for getting into the sinus passway and removing tissue as needed.

Sponge Forceps–These forceps are used in nearly all procedures to hold sponges or swabs. With ratcheted handles, these forceps may be found straight or curved to get a better sight of the procedure, work properly, and get the job done.

Spring Retractor–This funky noodle shaped tool belongs to the retractor family, and it is ready to hold back skin with its penetrating tips. Width is adjustable at the end of the tool, and the ratchet holds the position until further adjusted.

Takahashi Forceps–If you are in need of soft tissue, bony fragment, or cartilage removal, the Takahashi Forceps are a great tool to turn to.

Tendon Passer–This tool acts to deliver tendons– flexible connective tissue that keeps muscle and bone together. In the case of hand repair regarding tendons, tendon passers may guide the tendon through the lumbrical canal and guide other areas with the tendon. This instrument is a fine leader, as it can guide and explore areas and work alongside a tendon probe for such operations.

Tenotomy Scissors– These delicate angels come in varying shapes and sizes including straight or curved, and blunt or sharp. Due to their form, they are a great resource in ophthalmic and neurosurgical procedures, as they are meant to perform more gentle procedures.

Tonsil Snare–A part of the tonsillectomy set, the tonsil snare utilizes three finger rings that allow the operator to remove the dissected tonsil by controlling a wire loop at the opposite end of the instrument.

Uterine Sound–The function of this instrument is to determine dilation levels in a uterus, encourage dilation, understand the length and direction of the cervical canal and uterus by probing the uterus through the cervix.

Vein Retractor–This petal shaped retractor can be used in a number of procedures and for a variety of body parts from retracting mouth muscles in dentistry to ribs and tissues in general surgery. For delicate procedures such as neurosurgery in which damage to tissues must be avoided, the vein retractor is the ideal tool to push and pull with a gentle touch.

Nasal Foreign Body Hook – As the name reveals, this tool is used to remove foreign bodies from the nose. Who knows what you can find up there? According to Medscape, nasal foreign bodies, also known as NFBs are not uncommon in the emergency department setting. Although the obstruction of the nasal cavity may not seem too serious, mucosal damage can lead to severe irritation or disruption of the airway. The most common place to find nasal foreign bodies are near the front of the middle turbinate or below the inferior turbinate. The most commonly found foreign body is jewelry beads.

Webster Needle Holder–These finger ring holders, commonly seen in plastic surgery and other procedures, secure small needles and suture material with their smooth or serrated jaws.

Weighted vagin*l Speculum–The weighted vagin*l speculum, particularly the auvard weighted vagin*l speculum is the most commonly used of the types of vagin*l speculum when it comes to gynecological instruments. This one holds the vagin*l canal open during the procedure in order to conduct pelvic exams. With the auvard weighted vagin*l speculum, the weight has the ability to become separated. Another included feature is the blade which helps to keep the vagin* open. When the patient is ready with her knees bent and feet in stirrups, the speculum should be inserted while it is closed, and only opened once inside to allow a clear view of the cervix. These instruments can be found in stainless steel so that they may be sterilized and used again or disposable plastic for a singular use.

Ribbon Retractor–This seemingly simple tool is able to retract deep wounds. This tool is considered to be manual, as adjustment is made manually, and will not hold the position. This malleable retractor can be bent to various shapes.

Westcott Scissors–Connected at the tip and shaped like an eye, these scissors (also known as spring scissors) are appropriately designed for ophthalmic operations, as they best handle delicate tissues. Keep precision accurate by refraining from cutting in quick motions, and completing cuts to the tips for the best incisions with most control.

Love Nerve Retractor–What’s not to love? With the love nerve retractor, surgeons may lift up and expose underlying organs and tissues that the procedure is intended for. It is used in general surgery, and, like almost all of our favorite surgical instruments, is made of stainless steel material to preserve its durability while maintaining sterilization and cleanliness.