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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-03-03 Origin: Site
The choice of a surgical blade directly impacts surgical outcomes, yet it is challenging due to variations in type, size, and shape. Different blades are designed for specific tissue and incision needs, requiring a comprehensive evaluation of their sharpness, material, and compatibility with the scalpel handle. Additionally, factors such as patient variability, surgeon preference, sterility requirements, and cost considerations must be balanced. As a core surgical tool, the precise selection of a surgical blade is critical for cutting efficiency and surgical safety.
Surgical scalpels are a key instrument in surgery that is used for precise cutting, dissection, or separation of tissues. It typically consists of a metal handle and a detachable blade. Designed for sterility, sharpness, and maneuverability, it is used in various procedures such as skin incisions, vascular dissection, and organ removal. The type of scalpel varies by surgical specialty, with general surgery, ophthalmology, and plastic surgery requiring different tools. The core goal is to achieve efficient cutting with minimal trauma.
It is worth emphasizing that the performance and application of a scalpel heavily depend on blade design—differences in shape, size, and material directly affect tissue cutting precision and efficiency. Therefore, the scientific selection of surgical blades is the key to optimizing surgical procedures.
Below is a classification of surgical blades and their characteristics, covering common models and some specialized blades (based on international standards such as Swann-Morton):
| Blade Model | Shape Description | Characteristics | Common Use | Surgical Specialties |
#9 blade | Wide axe-shaped blade (chisel-like tip) | Thick blade, blunt-rounded tip, wide cutting edge | Removal of foot calluses, thick keratin layers, toenail trimming | Podiatry |
#10 blade | Rounded tip, curved wide blade | Versatile, standard cutting edge | Radial artery harvesting for CABG, bronchial incisions, C-section uterine incision, inguinal hernia repair | Cardiac surgery, obstetrics, general surgery |
#10A blade | Straight-edged micro blade | Sturdy tip, ideal for minor procedures | Removal of foreign bodies (splinters, thorns), superficial skin incisions | Emergency medicine, trauma surgery |
#11 blade | Long, triangular, pointed straight edge | Sharp puncture, precise entry into small areas | Abscess drainage, chest tube insertion, laparoscopic port incisions, heart valve calcification removal, podiatric surgery | Infectious disease, cardiothoracic surgery, podiatry |
| #11K | Pointed straight edge (mini-sized K-type) | Shorter overall length for fine-area operations | Microsurgery, ophthalmic precise punctures or incisions | Ophthalmology, neurosurgery |
#12 blade | Hooked edge, crescent-shaped curve | Prevents deep tissue penetration | Suture removal, arteriotomies, parotid/palatal mucosal incisions, ureteral/renal pelvis stone extraction, dental flap separation | Urology, maxillofacial surgery, vascular surgery |
#13 blade | Blunt-rounded tip, short curved edge | Safe tip, reduces accidental injury | Small-scale superficial incisions (e.g., oral, pediatric surgery) | Oral surgery, pediatrics |
#14 blade | Long straight edge | Suitable for large-area skin preparation | Dermabrasion (epidermal resurfacing) | Plastic surgery |
#15 blade | Rounded tip, short curved fine blade | Compact and highly maneuverable | Plastic surgery, ophthalmology, fine organ procedures | Precision surgery, minimally invasive procedures |
#15B blade | Rounded tip, narrower blade | Thin cutting edge, reduces tissue damage | Corneal incisions, neurovascular dissection | Microsurgery, ophthalmology |
#15C blade | Downward-sloping #15, flatter and thinner | Optimized for gingival sulcus incisions, minimizing tissue tearing | Gingivoplasty, crown lengthening, peri-implant debridement | Periodontology, oral rehabilitation surgery |
#16 blade | Long straight edge, semi-sharp tip | Reduces accidental perforation risk | Epidermal tumor removal, superficial fascia separation | General surgery |
#17 blade | Enlarged #15, rounded tip with a curved blade | Extended curved edge for deeper tissue incisions | Moderate-depth suturing, soft tissue refinement | Plastic surgery |
#18 blade | Slightly curved cutting edge | Small curve enhances linear control of incisions | Small ocular incisions, superficial vascular openings | Ophthalmology, vascular surgery |
#19 blade | Wide, rounded tip curved blade | Wider blade for reduced tissue trauma | Skin graft harvesting, wound edge revision | Burn surgery, plastic surgery |
#20 blade | Large #10, curved cutting edge with a flat, unsharpened back edge | Larger size for efficient large-area incisions | Abdominal surgery, amputations | General surgery, orthopedics, trauma surgery |
#21 blade | Similar to #10, larger than #20 | Wide, curved edge for extensive continuous cuts | Laparotomy, sternotomy | General surgery, thoracic surgery |
#22 blade | Similar to #10, larger than #21 | Thicker blade for dense tissue cutting | Fascia excision, animal dissection | Anatomy, orthopedics |
#22A blade | Deeply curved blade, large curvature cutting edge, sharp tip | Thickened blade design for high resistance to bending | Deep curved tissue cutting, spinal ligament release, degenerative joint cyst excision | Spine surgery, dura mater incisions |
#23 blade | "Leaf-shaped" blade with a sharp front edge | Long, sharp blade for rapid long incisions | Midline abdominal incision, bowel surgery | Gastrointestinal surgery |
#24 blade | Larger than #23, more semicircular with a sharper front edge | High-arched edge for smooth curved cuts | Tonsil dissection, spinal soft tissue separation | ENT, neurosurgery |
#25 blade | Similar to #11, triangular blade | Sharp, small blade minimizes tissue damage | Abscess puncture, periosteum incision | Emergency medicine, orthopedics |
#36 blade | Ultra-thin leaf-shaped curved edge | Extremely thin for non-invasive cutting | Nerve sheath incisions, vascular tunica removal | Neurosurgery, vascular microsurgery |
· Factors to Consider
Blade Size: Smaller blades offer precise control in confined spaces, while larger blades handle extensive cutting or thick tissue.
Blade Shape: Pointed blades are ideal for fine punctures, curved blades help prevent excessive depth, and straight blades allow for smooth linear cutting.
Blade Material:
Stainless Steel: Corrosion-resistant but dulls quickly, requiring frequent replacement.
Carbon Steel: Excellent cutting power and cost-effective but prone to rust, requiring strict storage conditions.
High-Carbon Stainless Steel: Combines sharpness with durability, suitable for high-precision applications but more expensive.
Sharpness: A new blade minimizes tissue drag but requires evaluation of sterilization impact on edge integrity.
Handle Compatibility: Ensure the blade fits securely on the handle to prevent slippage or control issues.
· Patient Factors
Thin-skinned children require ultra-thin blades for minimal bleeding; fibrotic tissues need harder blades for efficient cutting.
· Surgeon Preferences
Some prefer straight blades for quick incisions, while others favor curved blades for delicate dissection.
· Sterility Requirements
Disposable sealed blades are mandatory for infection-prone procedures.
· Cost Management
Balance performance with budget constraints; high-precision surgery may justify premium blades.
· Environmental Factors
High-humidity environments favor stainless steel; cold temperatures require pre-warmed blades to prevent brittleness.
Choosing a surgical blade requires a systematic balance of multiple factors. Understanding tissue structure and surgical objectives is key, followed by aligning the blade’s physical properties with the surgeon’s technique. As surgical technology advances, blade designs are becoming increasingly specialized, yet the fundamental principle remains—preserving tissue integrity. The right blade choice is not only critical for surgical success but also a testament to a surgeon's expertise.
