Hemostats are important instruments used by doctors during some patients' procedures in doctors' offices, clinics and in hospitals. Hemostats are predominately used during surgery in the operating room. They are available in a variety of sizes, lengths, shapes and curvatures at the tips. Hemostats are specifically designed for clamping different types of blood vessels and tissues in different anatomical parts of the body.
History
The hemostat is a medical instrument that was invented by Stephen Hales, an English physiologist, chemist and inventor in the eighteen century. The three factors that influenced modern surgery were the control of bleeding, the control of pain and the control of infection. The invention of the hemostat by Hales made a major impact in controling bleeding.
Significance
Without a method of hemostasis patients would not survive emergency bleeding situations, surgical and other such patient care procedures. The blood loss would result in shock leading to death that could occur very quickly. Tourniquets and hemostats have played significant roles in providing hemostasis in the care of patients and they will continue to do so.
Function
The hemostat is a standard instrument used to clamp off subcutaneous blood vessels to provide hemostasis during minor and major surgical procedures. The blood vessels are clamped with curved-tipped hemostats and ligated with fine sutures made of catgut, silk or cotton, then the hemostats are removed. Hemostats are also used to dissect and pull back tissues so doctors and surgeons can better view the surgical area and perform patient care procedures more precisely.
Types
Hemostats are made of stainless steel to sustain the temperature of the autoclave during sterilization. There are straight-tipped and curved-tipped hemostats. The former is used as a straight clamp across a blood vessel or tissue while the latter is better used for clamping blood vessels or tissue in a curved fashion or in a difficult location. Sizes range from tiny for pediatric surgery to large for adult care.
Potential
Hemostats are here to stay. However with continued medical technological advancement other methods of hemostasis have developed. Electro-coagulation and laser technology are two methods of hemostatis. Absorbable hemostatic material is used in another method of hemostasis. These products are either applied to or left on the wound or operative site to achieve impement-free hemostasis. The use of these products is critical in stopping the bleeding in kidney, brain and liver surgery. Some of these products include Gelfoam, Surgicel and Avitene.
Tags: blood vessels, care procedures, curved-tipped hemostats, method hemostasis, patient care, patient care procedures, procedures blood