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Needle holder
Also called: needle driver
Locking pliers with short, strong, crosshatched jaws that hold a suture needle.
A needle holder looks like a hemostat but its jaws are shorter and stronger, with a crosshatched (checkerboard) surface that grips the curved suture needle firmly. It is used to place stitches.
How to spot it
- Short, thick jaws with crosshatched grooves; finger rings and a lock.
What it is used for
- Suturing after extractions and gum surgery.
Safety and care
- Critical item (it goes into soft tissue or touches bone): clean it, package it and heat-sterilize it after every patient.
Related
Sources: Majid M. Oral Surgery Lec. 9+10: Basic surgical instruments. Al-Mustansiriyah University