There are a large number of deadly diseases that can be transmitted through the blood. To reduce the risk of infection, medicine began to use a disposable cutting tool such as a scalpel. This surgical device has replaced the lancet, and is now actively used by surgeons around the world. Since the most complex operations are carried out with its help, the requirements for it are increased.
What is a scalpel?
This surgical instrument is rightfully considered the number one among such medical devices and is a small knife, with which cuts are made in the soft tissues of the human body. It can be not only disposable, but also reusable. For the manufacture of the latter, medical stainless steel is used, which has increased resistance to corrosion.
Tools can also differ in more complexalloying or high chromium content. The difference may be in the design. Surgical scalpels are mainly made collapsible so that a new blade can be installed without regrinding.
What types of scalpels are there?
Such medical instruments can be of the following types:
- cavity - have an oval blade, which is sharpened in a semicircle, and a long handle;
- abdominal - have an arcuate shape with a displaced or equally curved cutting surface;
- pointed - have a double-edged blade in the form of an arc, both cutting edges converge to the top of the blade evenly;
- microsurgical - characterized by a thin blade, with a certain ratio of the cutting blade and the length of the handle;
- delicate scalpels - surgical instruments of this kind have a narrow and short blade;
- resection - have a sharply curved cutting edge;
- amputation - the length of the blade relative to the width is rather small. There is also a waste groove on the blade.
Surgical sterile scalpel, designed for anatomical and general surgical practice, can have different widths and lengths. This allows you to meet the necessary requirements for the functionality and ergonomics of the surgical instrument and at the same time perform specialized operations, for example, in pediatric surgery, in which the operating field is quite small due to the small organs and body size of the child.
What forintended?
The surgical disposable and reusable scalpel is used for various medical procedures.
Cavity scalpels are used for surgical operations in deep wounds.
With the help of the abdominal, shallow and long incisions are made in fatty, muscle and skin tissues. It is also used for dissection of cartilage, joints and ligaments, since in this case it is required to apply some force to the handle and neck of the instrument. Used for joint and general surgical operations.
Pointed scalpels are used for operations performed in areas that require puncture of tissues - skin, muscle, connective, fat, mucous, as well as puncture of the walls of hollow organs, such as the bladder, rectum and others. With the help of such a tool, narrow but deep cuts are made.
Microsurgical scalpels are used for otolaryngological, vascular, ophthalmic and plastic surgeries requiring very precise incisions.
Delicate surgical knives are used for operations in ophthalmology, plastic and maxillofacial surgery, for urological and dental operations.
To dissect such dense tissues as cartilage, ligaments, periosteum, joint capsules, resection scalpels are used.
Surgical amputation instruments are used for limb amputation as well as tissue preparation when studying human anatomyand practicing surgical skills.
What material is the surgical scalpel made of?
Steel – The main material from which this tool is made. The reusable scalpel is made of stainless medical steel. Disposable knives have no such high resistance to corrosion, so they are made of hardened chromium steel by cold stamping.
Reusable scalpels contain large amounts of chromium. The blades of instruments that are intended for ophthalmic operations are made of ceramic or leucosapphire, as well as stellites with a thick diamond coating.
About the "smart scalpel" for surgical operations
Recently, a new device has been introduced into medical practice, which can be described as a "smart scalpel". He is able to analyze the smoke rising at the moment of incision or cauterization of the operated tissue with an electrosurgical knife. With the help of such a tool, doctors are able to determine during the operation the presence of cancer cells in the tissues they remove.
Surgical scalpel: price
The cost of this medical instrument depends on its purpose. The cheapest disposable knife costs about 8 rubles, and the most expensive, belly, has a price of 445 rubles. You can buy them at pharmacies or medical equipment stores.
Conclusion
Scalpels are surgical instruments designedfor operations. With the help of them, incisions are made in various organs and tissues of the human body. There are disposable and reusable. Any medical institution is equipped with this tool, which is selected in accordance with the direction of activity of such an organization.
