Instruments used for rodent surgery are delicate and typically designed for a specific function. Incorrect use of these instruments will damage them and make it difficult, if not impossible, to use them correctly. For example, hemostatic forceps are designed to grasp and hold tissue such as blood vessels or skin. While they can be used to hold a needle for suturing in an emergency, routine use of hemostatic forceps instead of a surgical needleholder is not recommended. These forceps are not designed to securely grasp the needle and using them for suturing will damage the tips making them useless for their intended purpose. Instrument sterilizer should also be of the appropriate size for rodent surgery. Using instruments that are too large will exaggerate hand motions and decrease surgical precision resulting in poor technique and increased tissue trauma.
It has been reported that repeated use of glass bead sterilizers will make instruments brittle and dull over time. Any instrument that is used frequently, handled roughly or cleaned with abrasive materials can be damaged or dulled. Instruments should be assessed on a regular basis and replaced when necessary. Scissors and other sharp instruments can sometimes be re-sharpened to prolong life. Instruments must be gently cleaned after each use to ensure that all blood and tissue is removed. An ultrasonic cleaner can assist in this process. Proper care will extend the life of your instruments and help preserve your investment.
Instrument Sterilization
Prior to surgery, instruments and other supplies are placed in a ‘surgical pack’. The surgical pack must not only hold the instruments and supplies during the sterilization process, but also maintain the sterility of the contents until used in surgery. A variety of packing methods exists, including:
Instruments, with or without an instrument sterilizer tray, are packed inside a folded cloth or paper wrap and sealed with tape designed to indicate when sterilization has been achieved. Other types of sterilization indicators may be placed inside the pack.
Peel packs –self-sealing ‘envelopes’ used for steam or gas sterilization. A sterilization indicator is included on the envelope.
Keeping Instruments Sterile During Surgery
Use an extra piece of sterile drape material or the inside of the surgical wrap or envelope as a sterile space to place instruments during surgery. One of the most common errors for an inexperienced surgeon is setting instruments down on an unsterile surface.
Sterilization Procedures
Surgical instruments and other material or equipment that will contact the surgical site must be sterile prior to use. The process of sterilization kills all forms of life, including bacterial spores and viruses. Chemical disinfection is not the same as sterilization and is not acceptable as the primary method of instrument preparation for surgery. Methods of instrument sterilization include steam (autoclave) and gas (ethylene oxide) sterilization. Dry heat sterilization using a glass bead sterilizer is not acceptable for initial sterilization of instruments prior to surgery but may be used during ‘batch’ surgeries.
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