There is more to a good needleholder than meets the eye. This is especially true for S&T's line:

• Secure grip on even the smallest needle and finest suture material is possible due to parallel closure over the entire jaw length
• Easy tying of the finest suture material is possible due to perfectly designed jaws.
• Closing pressure is precisly calibrated to facilitate holding of the instrument while minimizing hand fatigue
• Safe suture handling sa all sharp corners and rough spots are eliminated

Selection of the proper Needle Holder

Apart from the observations described in Selecting your instrument you should also take your preference into consideration. Choose from:

Needleholder - Locking

The lock on a needle holder is mainly intended to be a convenient means for parking the needle, and passing it to the surgeon. The lock is not intended to be an aid for holding the needle while suturing.

Needleholder - Double action

These needle holders are especially advantageous in such situations where access to an operation site is limited. Due to their design the width of an opened needle holder is far less than those of comparable standard needle holders. These instruments are an original S&T development.

Non-hinged Needleholders

Needleholder forceps have stronger tips than standard microsurgical forceps. Needleholder forceps are produced to the same rigid specifications of our springhandled needleholders. S&T needleholder forceps are designed to facilitate rotational technique.

Needleholders with the designation "C" in the article code are based on the design by Castroviejo and are basically fine, flat handle needleholders. The designation "B" stands for round handle needleholders which were introduced by Barraquer.

Both designs originate from ophthalmic instrument designs.

Prof. Dr. Ramon Castroviejo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
Prof. Dr. Ignacio Barraquer y Barraquer, Barcelona, Spain

Please note:

Do not use micro needle holders for macro needles. Needles over 8mm in length are too thick and the force required for gripping and pricking is so great that even a single misuse can permanently damage the needle holder.