What Are Forceps Used for?
Forceps have many uses in the medical field. Commonly, forceps are used to hold human tissue open, to control bleeding, to suture wounds and to extract objects from the body. There are different sizes and types of forceps to serve specific purposes. Forceps are made of metal and have two movable handles very much like scissors. Forceps allow doctors to get a firm grip on objects that they cannot reach with their hands.
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Forceps in Obstetrics
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Forceps are used during child birth when the baby's head becomes stuck. The doctor uses the forceps to gently guide the head beyond the mother's pelvic bone and through the birth canal.
Forceps to Hold Tissue Apart
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Forceps are used to hold tissue apart during surgery. This makes the necessary organs accessible to the surgeon.
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Forceps Used to Control Blood Flow
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Forceps that are used to control blood flow are called hemostats. Hemostat forceps lock at the handle so that the doctor can use the opening end to pinch arteries or blood vessels to control bleeding.
Dental Forceps
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Dentist use forceps to extract teeth. Dental forceps are small and blunt at the end.
Forceps for Sutures
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Needle forceps are used to hold the curved suture needle while the doctor pulls sutures tight. Needle forceps allow the doctor to produce sutures that are neat, and lessen the risk of being stuck by the needle.
Sponge Forceps
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As the name suggests, sponge forceps are used in surgery to guide the sponge as the surgeon requests. The sponge absorbs blood and fluid so that the surgeon can have a better vantage point as she works.
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