What is the primary function of surgical scissors?

The primary function of surgical scissors is to cut and dissect. These specialized instruments are designed with sharp blades that enable precise cutting of various tissues, including soft tissues and sutures, during surgical procedures. Their design allows for controlled and delicate dissection, which is critical for successfully navigating around delicate anatomy and minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues.

Different types of surgical scissors serve specific purposes; for example, some may be used for cutting tissue, while others might be designed for suture cutting or even for specific procedures, such as dissecting tissue during operations. The importance of the cutting and dissecting function lies in its primary role in facilitating surgical access, allowing surgeons to perform necessary interventions effectively.

Other options present functions for different instruments; scraping tissue is typically done with a curette, grasping and clamping objects is the role of forceps or clamps, and holding tissues away from the site is accomplished by retractors. Each of these instruments serves distinct and necessary functions in the surgical context, but the fundamental role of scissors remains focused on cutting and dissecting.