What is Electrosurgical Pencil (Diathermy Pencil)?

Electrosurgical Pencil (Diathermy Pencil)

An electrosurgical pencil, also called diathermy pencil, electrocautery pencil, is a handheld surgical instrument used in electrosurgery. In electrosurgery, the medical procedure makes use of high-frequency electrical currents to cut, coagulate, or vaporize tissue during surgery. Diathermy pencil replaces traditional scalpels to minimize bleeding and operative time. The electrosurgical pencil is made of a handpiece … Read more

Plaster of Paris (POP) Bandage: Medical Application, Sizes

Plaster of Paris (POP) Bandage Medical Application, Sizes

A Plaster of Paris bandage consists of a piece of muslin stiffened by dextrose or starch and impregnated with hemihydrate of calcium sulfate. It is then soaked in water and wrapped around one foot where it dries and hardens, forming a plaster cast. Plaster of Paris incorporates 20% of the water it soaks up, the … Read more

Different Types of Spinal Needles, and the Uses

Types of Spinal Needles, and the Uses

In clinical practice, spinal needle is an important tool used in spinal anesthesia and pain management and for diagnostic lumbar punctures. The spinal needle is a sharp, beveled tip, thin hollow needle used to access and inject anesthetic agents into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) directly. Regional anesthesia require needle and make use of specific part … Read more

Types & Sizes of Endotracheal Tubes (ETT): Choice of ETT Sizes & Types

Types & Sizes of Endotracheal Tubes (ETT) Used in Anesthesia and Surgery

Endotracheal tube is used in clinical setting to provide oxygen and inhaled gases to the lungs, and protect against contaminants like blood, gastric contents. An endotracheal tube is a large-boreflexible plastic tube placed through the patient’s nose or mouth into the upper part of the trachea above the carina by the way to the voice-box … Read more

Silk Suture: Major Types, Uses, and Contraindications

Silk Suture Major Types, Uses, and Contraindications

Silk suture is a sterile non-absorbable surgical suture made of organic protein called fibroin. The organic protein, fibroin, is derived from domesticated silkworm species Bombyx mori of the family Bombycidae. The sutures are processed to remove the naturally-occurring sericin waxes and gums. The braided silk suture is coated with silicone or wax. The manufacturing process … Read more

Nylon Suture (Polyamide): Important Types, Sizes, Uses and Effects

Nylon Suture Polyamide Different Types Sizes Uses and Effects 1

Nylon suture also called polyamide suture, is a sterile synthetic non-absorbable suture, with high tensile strength. It can be microfilament (Ethilon, Dermlon, Daclon) or multifilament (Nuralon). It is easily pliable, smooth, and soft. Nylon gives excellent knot security and are easily removed without tissue resistance. They are also resistant to infection. Nylon is composed of … Read more

Vicryl Sutures (Polyglactin 910): Different Sizes, Types, and Uses

Vicryl Sutures (Polyglactin 910) Different Sizes, Types, and Uses

Vicryl (polyglactin 910) is the most widely used braided synthetic absorbable suture. The sterile suture was manufactured by Ethicon Inc., a medtech subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson. It is composed of a copolymer made of 90% glycolide and 10% L-lactide. The sutures are coated with a mixture of equal parts of copolymer of glycolide and … Read more

Bone Wax: Important Clinical Applications in Surgery, Side Effects

Clinical Uses of Bone Wax in Surgery, Side Effects

Bone wax suture is a sterile hemostatic agent made of mostly beeswax, isopropyl palmitate, a wax softening agent, and a stabilizing agent such as almond oils or sterilized salicylic acid. It is used to control bleeding of disrupted bone surfaces. The action is not biochemical, rather it acts as an impenetrable mechanical barrier (tamponade) to … Read more

What is Surgicel? Types, Important Applications and Effects, Precautions

Types of Surgicel Uses and Application of Surgicel

Surgicel, an absorbable hemostat, is a sterile absorbable knitted fabric that is produced through a controlled oxidation of regenerated cellulose. The fabric material is strong, and does not fray when cut and used for suturing. It has a white color with a pale yellow cast and a faint, caramel-like aroma. Though, it can discolor slightly … Read more

Redivac Drain: Important Uses, How to Change the Drain

Redivac Drain Uses, How to Change the Drain

Redivac drain, a type of surgical drain, is a thin plastic (PVC) tube placed in the space (cavity) created during the removal of tissue following a surgery. It helps to remove fluid from the body after a surgery. Redivac drain is a high negative pressure drain, and can drain a large volume of fluid. There … Read more