A good pair of forceps can outlast the theatre it was bought for. Most instruments that fail early were not badly made. They were left with blood drying on them, soaked in the wrong solution, or thrown into a tray with heavier tools.
Here is the routine that keeps them working.
Clean them quickly
Blood and tissue are easy to remove when they are wet and hard to remove once they dry, especially in the box joints and serrations. If instruments can't be cleaned straight away, keep them moist with a damp cloth or an enzymatic spray. Don't leave them sitting in water for hours.
Avoid saline and bleach
Saline and chlorine both attack stainless steel. Over time they cause pitting: small dark spots that turn into rust and corrosion. Rinse with clean water, and use a cleaning solution made for surgical instruments, at the dilution printed on the bottle.
Open the joints
Clean scissors, clamps and needle holders in the open position so the detergent reaches the hinge. A soft nylon brush is enough. Steel wool and wire brushes scratch the protective surface and make rust more likely.
Dry, check and lubricate
- Dry instruments fully before packing. Water left in a joint is where rust starts.
- Check each one: do the jaws meet properly, do the ratchets hold, are the tips aligned?
- Use a water-soluble instrument lubricant on hinged instruments. Not machine oil, which steam can't get through.
Sterilise as the manufacturer says
Use the autoclave cycle your autoclave's manual recommends for wrapped instruments, and don't overload the chamber. Let the load dry before you open it. A wet pack isn't a sterile pack.
A note on gold handles
Gold-coloured handles on scissors and needle holders usually mean tungsten carbide inserts in the jaws. They grip better and stay sharp longer, and they cost more, so it's worth separating them out and handling them with a little extra care.
We supply general and specialist surgical instruments, including gold coated ones. Browse the range or ask us for a set list for your theatre.