Forceps are essential medical tools. The word forceps is derived from the Latin word ‘Etimos’ which means a pair of pincers or tweezers. 700 different types of forceps have been discovered till now. Our topic of concern is Cotton forceps. They are in common practice in operating theaters, wards, and other medical centers. They are used to hold cotton buds, gauze, sponges, and other dressings during surgical procedures.
Cotton Forceps Other names:
- Sponge forceps.
- Cotton swab forceps.
- Swab holding forceps
Parts:
- Handle
- Shaft
- Blades
- Finger Rings
- Ratchet
Design Of Forceps:
- Handles consist of finger bows for a strong and secure grip.
- They look like scissors.
- They are 9.5 inches long.
- Tips are very uniquely designed as compared to other forceps; they are oval in shape, have perforations, and have transverse serrations on their inner surface.
- Blades are available in two forms: straight or curved.
- Joints are box-type.
- The shaft is precisely designed to clean the operative site without touching the other areas.
Divers Uses Of Cotton Forceps
- They are used to hold cotton to scrub or clean the operative site before operation.
- Cotton forceps dental are used to hold the tongue in oral surgery.
- For vaginal examination, it is used to hold the cervix.
- It is used to pat the bleeding area.
Common types:
- Foerster sponge forceps: Foerster forceps are designed to deal with delicate tissues. It has a keyhole in the handle, which is octagonal in shape. This unique design provides strong grip and control even with gloves. It is an excellent choice for dealing with sensitive tissue with minimal risk of trauma.
- Rampley sponge forceps: It is commonly used to grasp a swab, which is used to clean and prepare the skin for operation. It can also be used to dissect or retract soft body tissues. The swab can be wrapped around the jaws of the forceps to dab bleeding points. It is also known as “swab-on-a-stick.’’
Handling:
- Tips should be properly aligned.
- Jaws should be tightly closed. For this purpose, hold the closed forceps to the light source; no light should pass through it.
- Jaws should meet each other and be completely aligned.
- Ratchet should not be easy to open when it is not in use.
Cleansing:
- Rinse off all the blood, fluids, or debris immediately after use.
- Always use only plain water for cleansing; hot water can damage the texture.
- Use detergents only with a neutral pH; highly acidic or basic detergents can damage the material of the instrument.
- Use microbrushes made of plastic to remove debris.
- For cleaning serrations, use brushes made of stiff material.
- Dry the instruments immediately with a towel.
- After cleansing, always dry the instrument with a towel.
Sterilization:
- Autoclaving: Lubricate the forceps, open the locks, and load the autoclave machine.
- Cold sterilization: This method is used only for disinfection. The instrument is placed in a cold sterilization solution for hours.
Conclusion:
Cotton forceps play a significant role in cleaning and preparing the operation site. It is precisely designed to reduce the chance of any harm due to touching. They are known by some other names as well. Besides cleaning, they also perform some other functions like retracting, patting, and holding.
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