Combination forceps fuse both safety and efficiency.
BACKGROUND
Instrumentation prevents needle stick injury.


OBJECTIVE
To review forceps that insure safety and facilitate tissue-handling and knot-tying efficiency.


METHODS
Medical literature reports were reviewed using Ovid. Commercially available instruments were qualitatively tested.


RESULTS
Suture platforms securely hold suture needles and can be used during knot tying. A wide range of combination forceps have been invented and can be broadly categorized as either skin hook or toothed combination forceps.


CONCLUSIONS
Combination forceps fuse both efficiency and safety. Skin hook forceps may eventually be the optimal combination instrument, but toothed combination forceps are recommended.
Henry
Lance B
LB
Department of Dermatology, University of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas 52206, USA.
Pellowski
Donna M
DM
Davis
Daniel A
DA
D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*