Scissors

• Scissors are one of the main instruments used in surgery. They come with either blunt or sharp blades with either straight or curved blades. The two main types of scissors are the Mayo and Metzenbaum scissors. The difference between the two is that they were made to cut different types of tissues. Scissors are mainly used to cut and dissect tissue and to cut sutures, clothing and bandages.
  
  

Forceps

• Forceps come in many different shapes and sizes and are used for many purposes. The three main types of forceps are dressing and tissue forceps, hemostats and hemostatic forceps and intestinal forceps. Forceps consists of two projecting parts that are either straight or curved and held together at one end with a spring to hold them open. Forceps either have smooth tips or tips with teeth on the tips. Forceps are mainly used to hold tissue, to hold skin, for handling tissue and for grasping and holding the bowel and bladder, to hold the intestine and to clamp and hold blood vessels.
  
  

Needle Holders

• Needle holders, also known as needle drivers or drivers, are instrument that lock and are used to hold and guide a needle securely while suturing tissue. Needle holders used in all kinds of surgery and are available in various styles and sizes. The size of the needle holder used depends on the size of the incision made.
  
  

Retractors

• The two main types of retractors are hand-held retractors and self-retaining retractors. They have either blunt or sharp blades on each end to hold tissue apart and are mainly used in general surgery and orthopedic surgery. Retractors are mainly used to retract, expose or hold tissue, muscle, organs or bone during surgery.
  
  

Scalpels

• Scalpels come in many different sizes and are used to make incisions during surgery. This type of instrument is referred to as "sharps" because they are used to cut or incise. They come with a handle with removable blades but disposable scalpels are made as well.