Surgical Instrument Maintenance

Proper care of surgical instruments begins with appropriate cleaning. This guide discusses various proper washing, cleaning and sterilization of many types of surgical instruments. Proper care also means maintenance of German-made instruments on a regular basis, consisting of sharpening and restoration. A general rule of thumb for busy practices is to schedule maintenance every six months.

Instruments that may require this maintenance include:

• Scissors
• Needle Holders
• Bone Cutters
• Hemostats
• Osteotomes
• Rongeurs
• Chisels
• Bone Curettes
• Knives
• Punches