Mayo scissors

Mayo scissors are a type of surgical scissor, often used in the cutting of fascia.

Mayo scissors

Etymology

Mayo scissors were developed by Mayo Clinic surgeons.

Description

Mayo scissors may be made from stainless steel or titanium, with stainless steel ones being markedly cheaper than titanium ones. They may also be available in standard or extra-long scissors, and typically measure between 150 mm (6 inches) and 170 mm (6 ¾ inches) in length.

Like most other modern-day surgical instruments, a vast majority of Mayo scissors are made from stainless steel and are disposable for convenience: such instruments may be simply thrown away rather than being sterilized and reprocessed after use.

Types of Mayo scissors

Straight- and curved-blade varieties of Mayo scissors exist, each of which is particularly suited to specific surgical, including veterinary and podiatric surgery applications.

• Mayo scissors have semi-blunt ends, a feature that distinguishes them from most other surgical scissors. Metzenbaum scissors are, however, similar in that the ends are the same on both scissor halves, but its handles are longer and its middle section is slightly narrower.
• Straight-bladed Mayo scissors are designed for cutting body tissues near the surface of a wound. As straight-bladed Mayo scissors are also used for cutting sutures, they are also referred to as "suture scissors".
• Curved-bladed Mayo scissors allow deeper penetration into the wound than the type with straight blades. The curved style of Mayo scissor is used to cut thick tissues such as those found in the uterus, muscles, breast, and foot. Mayo scissors used for dissection are placed in tissue with the tips closed. The scissors are then opened so that the tips open and spread out the tissue during the dissection process.

See also

• Instruments used in general surgery