Scissors are among the most used instruments on any surgical tray, and each pattern is designed for a specific tissue or task. Using the wrong scissors dulls blades quickly and damages tissue. This guide covers the main types of surgical scissors and how to choose them.
Blade features to understand
- Straight or curved: straight blades for surface work and cutting sutures, curved blades for dissection and deep areas.
- Tips: sharp/sharp, sharp/blunt or blunt/blunt depending on how much protection surrounding tissue needs.
- Edges: plain, micro-serrated (to stop tissue slipping) or supercut (razor edge).
- Tungsten carbide inserts: gold handles indicate long-lasting TC blades.
Main surgical scissors patterns
- Mayo scissors: heavy blades for cutting fascia, muscle and dense tissue. Straight Mayo scissors are also used to cut sutures.
- Metzenbaum scissors: long handles with short, fine blades for delicate tissue dissection.
- Iris scissors: small, very sharp scissors originally for eye surgery, now used in plastic, dermatology and fine work.
- Tenotomy scissors (Stevens): fine, slightly curved scissors for delicate dissection.
- Potts-Smith and Potts-De Martel: angled blades for opening vessels in cardiovascular surgery.
- Jorgenson scissors: heavy curved scissors for hysterectomy.
- Suture / stitch scissors: with a hook or notch to lift and cut sutures.
- Lister bandage scissors: angled blades with a blunt probe tip for cutting dressings safely.
- Episiotomy scissors: angled Braun-Stadler and Waldmann patterns.
- Micro scissors: spring handles for micro and ophthalmic surgery.
Mayo vs Metzenbaum: the most common question
Mayo scissors have shorter handles and thicker blades for tough tissue, while Metzenbaum scissors have longer handles and thinner blades for delicate tissue. Using Metzenbaum scissors on fascia or sutures dulls them quickly.
Keeping scissors sharp
Use each pattern only for its intended purpose, protect tips during cleaning and sterilisation, and test cutting performance regularly. Quality starts with steel and hardening; see our guide to surgical stainless steel grades.
Pak Line Industries manufactures Mayo, Metzenbaum, iris, tenotomy, Potts, Jorgenson, suture and bandage scissors in standard and tungsten carbide versions. Browse surgical instruments.
FAQs
What are iris scissors used for?
Iris scissors are small, sharp scissors used for fine, delicate cutting in ophthalmic, plastic and dermatological procedures.
Why are some surgical scissors black?
Black scissors are usually “supercut” or premium patterns with a special coating, which helps identify them on the tray.
Source instruments direct from the manufacturer
Pak Line Industries has manufactured surgical, dental and beauty instruments in Sialkot, Pakistan since 1985. ISO 13485 & CE quality, OEM and private label, exported to 55 countries.
