Skin hooks are small retractors used to lift and hold skin edges with minimal trauma. Instead of squeezing the edge with forceps, the surgeon places a fine hook under the dermis and lifts. This is why skin hooks are used so widely in plastic surgery, dermatology and fine minor surgery.
In short
Single hooks give precise control; double hooks spread the pull over a wider area. Sharp hooks hold well in skin; blunt hooks are safer near vessels and nerves.
Single or double skin hooks#
Single hooks have one fine hook and are used to lift a precise point of a skin edge, for example when undermining or closing a wound. Double hooks have two small hooks side by side, spreading the pull and holding a wider edge steadily.
Sharp or blunt#
Sharp hooks penetrate the dermis slightly and hold the edge securely. Blunt hooks hold less firmly but reduce the risk of injuring vessels and nerves in deeper layers. Many sets include both.
Common patterns#
| Pattern | Description |
|---|---|
| Gillies | Slim handle with a single fine hook; a classic in plastic surgery |
| Joseph | Single or double hooks, sharp or blunt, in several widths |
| Frazier | Hook used for gentle retraction in fine work |
Hooks are also made with different hook sizes and spreads, so state the width and number of prongs when ordering.
Using skin hooks safely#
Sharp hooks can easily injure fingers and puncture gloves. Pass them handle first, keep them in a dedicated place on the tray, and count them with other instruments. Place the hook in the dermis rather than through the full skin thickness.
Quality checklist
- The hook points are fine, even and correctly angled.
- Double hooks have matching prongs.
- The handle is light and gives good control.
- The finish is smooth, with no burrs.
Frequently asked questions#
Why use skin hooks instead of forceps?#
Hooks lift the edge without crushing it, which can reduce damage to the wound edge and help a neat closure.
Can bent skin hooks be fixed?#
Slightly bent hooks can sometimes be reshaped by a repair service, but fine hooks that are bent repeatedly should be replaced.
Which skin hooks should a minor surgery set include?#
One or two fine single hooks are usually enough; plastic surgery sets often add double hooks.
Order skin hooks from Gami Surgical#
Gami Surgical manufactures single and double skin hooks, sharp and blunt, in Sialkot, Pakistan, and delivers worldwide. Send us the patterns and sizes you need for a quote.
