Suture scissors
Definition
A suture scissors – or suture cutter – is a small, precision medical instrument specially designed to remove sutures safely and in a controlled manner without damaging surrounding tissue.
Explanation suture scissors
The thread scissors, also known as suture scissors in a medical context, are among the finer surgical instruments. Unlike standard scissors, this instrument has been specifically designed for extremely precise work on the skin. The blade is short and narrow, allowing for maximum control when cutting. One of the blades often has a small, flattened tip or a subtle hook-shaped end. This allows the scissors to be carefully slid under the suture without perforating the skin or causing additional trauma.
The purpose of this design is safety. When removing sutures, only the thread should be cut, not the skin underneath. Regular scissors lack this precision and can cause pulling, tearing, or puncturing. Suture scissors prevent this because the underside forms a protective plate between the skin and the cutting surface.
Temporary sutures
In professional practices, thread scissors are used to remove non-dissolvable sutures after wound healing. This instrument is also essential in specialized environments where skin fixation, temporary sutures, or medical simulations are used, due to its controlled cutting motion and minimal risk of injury.
The instrument is almost always made of stainless surgical steel, so that it can be easily cleaned and sterilized. Hygiene and sharpness are crucial, because blunt thread scissors tend to pull on the thread rather than cut it, which can cause discomfort or damage to the healing tissue.
Safety & points of attention
Hygiene plays a central role. The thread scissors must be clean and preferably disinfected before use. Working with an uncleaned instrument increases the risk of bacterial contamination in an area of skin that is still vulnerable. The hands of the person removing the sutures must also be clean, and contact with the wound itself must be limited as much as possible.
In addition, it is important to cut only the thread and never cut into the skin. The flat or hooked tip of the thread scissors is intended to function as a protective layer between the skin and the cutting surface. If the scissors are inserted too deeply or used at the wrong angle, skin damage may still occur.
Do not use thread scissors for other materials such as bandages, tape, leather, textiles, or rope. This will blunt the cutting edge, which will cause pulling force on the suture thread during later use instead of a clean cut. This increases discomfort and can irritate the healing tissue.
Related terms suture scissors
Bondage
Stitching
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