Perioperative Equipment and Instruments for Registered Nurses

Suture Packaging

  1. Suture packing consists of an inner package, either moist or dry depending on the suture, which is then placed inside an outer peel-pack and sterilized for easy dispensing to the sterile field.
  2. If the outer package integrity is maintained, the sterility remains intact.
  3. Suture packing also comes with an expiration date that refers to the stability of the sterility.
  4. Suture reels are needleless sutures that are packaged in multiple strands and in reels to be used as free ties.
  5. Sutures can come in single or multipacks.
  6. Double-armed sutures have a needle at each end of the suture. These are typically used in vascular sutures or anastomosis.
  7. Suture packages can be colour coded which allows for quicker identification of different suture materials.
Size and Shape of Needle

Surgical needles come in many different shapes and sizes. Have a look at the Ethicon product manual to see many examples of suture needles:

🧩 Practice Activity
Scalpel Blades   

10 Blade is for skin opening and is round at the tip.

11 Blade is used for skin puncture or for small incisions. It has a long straight edge with a pointed tip. 

12 Blade is commonly used for tonsillectomy. It is hook shaped, with a curved cutting surface.

15 Blade is used for short or shallow controlled incisions. It has a short, rounded edge.

20 Blade is used for skin opening, like a 10 blade, but larger.

21 Blade

Only fits the “10” Series Blades. There are also long versions of these handles (Click the play button to load the 3D model. Then zoom in and out with your mouse or click and drag to see it from different angles.):

No 3 Knife Handle by pmillerjenkins on Sketchfab

🧠 Graded Activity

In Blackboard, complete the Graded Activity: Blade Scalpel Handle.

Beaver Blades

Beaver blades come in an assortment of angulations and configurations that have a specific use. These blades use a different handle that is reusable and is secured by a screw-in collar.

Saw Blades

Saw blades are used as cutting instruments, typically found in orthopedic procedures. These saw blades are power-driven by electricity, batteries, compressed air, or nitrogen.

These blades are sharp as their main objective is to cut bone by either a reciprocating, cutting action from front to back, or an oscillating, cutting action from side to side. Saw blades are disposable but the power instruments they are attached to are reusable. Precaution must be taken to ensure the safety mechanism is on to prevent accidental activation of power.

Saw blades come in a variety of shapes, lengths, and widths.

(Phillips, 2017)

Other Sharps: Injection Needles

Hypodermic needles are other sharps that can be found on the sterile field. These needles are used to administer medication. Hypodermic needles come with a plastic cap that should remain on the needle until it is required. These needles come in different gauges and lengths depending on the location of the type of medication being used.

Managing Sharps on the Sterile Field

Scrub personnel are responsible for securing the sharps, sutures, and blades. To help avoid any injuries, blades should be opened and placed in a consistent location for the scrub and circulating nurses. Sutures and other sharps should never be left loose on the sterile field, including they may stand.

(Phillips, 2017 & Cromb, 2019)