A tenaculum is a surgical instrument used to grasp and hold tissue during procedures. It consists of long handles attached to hooks that can be anchored into the tissue. It is commonly used in gynecological procedures to stabilize the cervix. Proper use is important to avoid tissue damage.
A tenaculum is a surgical instrument that is used to grasp and hold tissue. The tenaculum is a form of locking forceps, designed to hold itself in position once it has been locked, and can be used to hold tissue in place for surgical procedures, to hold tissue out of the way, or to grasp tissue for the purpose of manipulating them. Many surgical instrument companies produce tenaculum forceps in a variety of styles for various uses.
This surgical instrument dates back to at least the 1600s, with the instrument’s name deriving from a Latin root meaning “to hold,” the same root involved in words like “tenacious.” The tenaculum consists of long, narrow handles attached to hooks. The hooks can be anchored into the tissue under examination, with the clinician locking the handles once the desired position is achieved.
One of the more common uses of the tenaculum is in procedures when the cervix needs to be stabilized in order to view or perform a procedure. A cervical tenaculum can be made of plastic, designed to be disposable for one patient only, or stainless steel, in which case it can be sterilized and reused. Tenaculum forceps are also used in other types of surgical procedures.
Like other surgical instruments, the tenaculum may feel slightly barbaric in action, but the patient will not feel it when placed as long as they are under general anesthesia. In cases where the patient is awake, such as for some gynecological procedures, local anesthetics may be injected so that the patient does not feel the placement and removal of the instrument. The patient is also usually given a drug that promotes relaxation so that they feel more comfortable during the procedure.
Learning to use surgical tools properly takes time. During the surgical training course, doctors learn about the different tools available to them, the recommended uses for the various tools, and the techniques that should be used to handle them. While patients may not feel the instruments during surgery, improper choice or use of instruments can complicate matters for the patient by inadvertently causing tissue damage, which can increase healing time or increase the risk of infection. Surgeons also tend to develop their instrumental technique throughout their careers, developing various tricks and methods that facilitate their work in the operating room.
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