INSTRUMENT

Mayo-Hegar Needle Holder

FUNCTION	To drive suture needles through tissue that requires suturing and to assist in tying sutures.
COMMON NAME	Needle Holder
CHARACTERISTICS	Short jaws have grooves that are cross hatched on the surface, and some models have a longitudinal groove down the centers of the jaws. The cross-hatching provides superior holding power so the needle does not turn in the jaws. The needle holder has a box lock and may have carbide inserts in the jaws. The inserts can be replaced if the jaws lose their gripping power, thus extending the life of the needle holder. Needle holders with carbide jaws have gold handles. Lengths include 5¼, 6, 7, 8, 10½, and 12 inches. The size of the needle holder is determined by the size of the needle used. A needle that is too large for a particular needle holder can damage the jaws and the box lock.

FUNCTION	To drive suture needles through tissue that requires suturing and to assist in tying sutures.
COMMON NAME	Needle Holder
CHARACTERISTICS	Scissor blades are set behind the jaws. After the suture is tied into a knot, the surgeon can cut the suture material with the same instrument. This can speed up the time it takes to suture, but a false move can mean disaster, for it is possible that the surgeon might cut the suture material in the wrong place or inadvertently cut tissue. The lengths of this instrument may be 5½, 6½, or 7½ inches. They too are available with carbide jaws.