Plastic surgery instruments are designed for gentle tissue handling and precise, fine closures. Compared with general surgery instruments, they are usually smaller and lighter, with finer tips and delicate jaws. This guide lists the instruments that make up a typical plastic surgery set.
In short
A plastic surgery set relies on fine toothed forceps, skin hooks, delicate scissors, fine needle holders and small retractors. Quality of tips and edges matters more than in almost any other set.
The essential instruments#
| Instrument | Examples | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Fine forceps | Adson-Brown, Gillies, fine Adson | Handling skin edges gently |
| Skin hooks | Gillies, Joseph single and double | Lifting edges without crushing |
| Delicate scissors | Iris, Stevens tenotomy, Kaye, delicate Metzenbaum | Fine dissection and undermining |
| Fine needle holders | Webster, Gillies, Castroviejo | Fine sutures |
| Small retractors | Senn, Ragnell, Cottle hooks | Retraction in small fields |
| Scalpel handles | No. 3, No. 7 | Small, precise incisions with No. 15 and No. 11 blades |
Gillies instruments#
Several patterns are named after Sir Harold Gillies, a pioneer of plastic surgery. The Gillies needle holder has a built-in scissors and an offset handle; Gillies forceps are fine toothed forceps; the Gillies skin hook is a classic single hook.
Why finer instruments help#
Fine tips let the surgeon grasp a small amount of tissue at the very edge, reducing trauma. Light, well-balanced instruments reduce hand fatigue during long, detailed procedures. Delicate scissors with supercut edges give smooth cuts.
Quality checklist
- Forceps tips meet precisely and teeth mesh fully.
- Scissors cut cleanly right to the tips.
- Needle holder jaws hold fine needles without rotation.
- Instruments are light and well balanced.
Frequently asked questions#
Are plastic surgery instruments different from general instruments?#
Mostly they are finer and lighter versions of the same instrument types, with more delicate tips and jaws.
What is a Gillies needle holder?#
A needle holder with an offset handle and built-in scissors, designed by Sir Harold Gillies, popular for fine skin closure.
How should fine plastic surgery instruments be stored?#
In trays with holders or mats, with tip protectors, so tips cannot touch other instruments.
Order plastic surgery instruments from Gami Surgical#
Gami Surgical manufactures fine forceps, hooks, scissors and needle holders for plastic surgery in Sialkot, Pakistan, and delivers worldwide. Send us your tray list for a quote.
