Sharpening and tightening surgical scissors

blades, pivoted so that the sharpened edges of each blade slide against each other when the handles opposite to the joint or pivot are closed. The cutting edge of each blade is where the inner surface and the cutting surface meet (Figure 1). The two cutting edges cut as they slide over each other. The angle of the cutting surface is usually between 0 and 15 degrees from the horizontal. Scissors with a very steep angle (nearer 15 degrees) are extremely sharp and are meant for cutting soft tissues such as conjunctiva. Scissors with a less steep angle are meant for cutting harder tissues. With repeated use, the sharp cutting edges become rounded and pits or gaps can appear, making the scissors blunt. These pits will be visible as changes in the refl ection when you examine the cutting surfaces in bright light. The sharper the cutting edge, the quicker the scissors will become blunt. You should never use scissors to cut material that the scissors are not suitable for, or they will become blunt very quickly. If blunt scissors are used, the tissue will be clasped instead of cut, resulting in contusion of the tissue and ineffectual wound healing.