If you’ve ever had any kind of major surgery and were curious about what the procedure would entail, you may have researched the tools your surgeon would be using.
There are five basic categories for surgical instruments. There are those used for cutting and dissecting, clamping and occluding, grasping and holding, retracting and exposing, suturing and stapling, and suctioning.
However, depending on their area of expertise, surgeons may use any number of the thousands of different tools across medical fields. And just as in any other medical field, the specialized tools in cosmetic and plastic surgery are categorized by their mechanical function.
What Are Some Specialized Tools for Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery?
What makes cosmetic and plastic surgery tools stand out from those used for general surgery is that they’re engineered for extreme precision. Plastic surgeons often have to work with delicate tissue, so they utilize highly specialized micro-instruments, retractors, and cutting tools that are designed to minimize scarring.
Without taking too deep a dive, we’ll take a look at some of the more common tools here and how a plastic surgeon would incorporate them.
Instruments for Cutting and Dissecting
Scalpels and blades are a mainstay for all surgeons. In the case of plastic surgery, they tend to use #10, #11, and #15 blades because they result in the cleanest, deepest, and most microscopic dermal incisions.
For patients receiving a facelift, the surgeon may choose either Gorney or Kaye Scissors because they’re engineered to more easily separate facial skin from the deeper anatomical structure beneath.
There are also Iris and Tenotomy (the cutting or releasing of tendons to release tight, shortened muscles) Scissors that are available either straight or curved. These are ideal for intricate cutting around tight contours such as those found in delicate facial work.
Tools for Tissue Handling, Grasping, Measuring, and Retraction
For many cosmetic procedures, millimeter calipers are crucial measuring tools that help the surgeon map out precise mathematical symmetries.
When holding fragile skin layers open, crushing the skin cells can become a concern. The toothed and serrated thumb forceps known as Adson Forceps ensure this doesn’t happen.
Another way surgeons can delicately hold incisions open under tension is with the use of skin hooks such as Joseph Hooks. Incisions can also be held open with a Senn Retractor, which is a double-edged tool featuring a blunt blade on one side and small prongs on the other.
Contouring Tools for Specific Procedures
When surgeons need to handle extremely fine sutures, as in eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), they may rely on Castroviejo or Webster & Halsey Needle Holders to provide microscopic accuracy and to hold ultra-fine cosmetic sutures securely.
Liposuction cannulas are probably one of the most well-known tools in cosmetic surgery. These hollow stainless steel tubes come in a variety of diameters and tip patterns and are used in liposuction for targeted fat removal.
During body contouring procedures and buttock augmentation, plastic surgeons use V-Dissectors. These multi-use rods are used to break down fibrous subcutaneous tissue and separate tissue planes.
And last, but certainly not least, Nasal Rasps and Osteotomes are the standard for rhinoplasty procedures. These are precision chisels and file-like instruments that are used in tandem with a surgical mallet to safely contour or fracture bone.
Stay In the Know
Not everyone is interested in the specialized tools for cosmetic and plastic surgery their surgeon may use. And that’s fine!
But if you’re considering a plastic surgery procedure and want a deeper understanding of what to expect, we’re always ready to broaden your knowledge base!
So contact us today to set up your consultation. And if you’re interested, we’ll school you on the tools of our trade.