Sponge Forceps in Medical Practice: A Comprehensive Overview

Sponge forceps or sponge holding forceps, also known as Foerster Sponge Forceps, are used by doctors to pick up cotton swab or sponges during surgical procedures.

The forceps is designed in a scissor shape, with ratcheted handles and looped, smooth or serrated jaws. A sponge forceps may be curved or straight based on its specific purpose.

Sponge holding forceps typically have a length of seven to nine inches (approximately 18 to 23 centimeters). Normally, the jaws themselves are rounded. For delicate operations, elongated tips can be included.

Medical sponge holding forceps enable minor surgery without excessive trauma or damage to be performed.

Such forceps are favoured by many physicians because this helps minimizes damage during surgery. Foerster Sponge forceps or sponge holding forceps allow a physician to gently and accurately hold and move swab or sponges. These also help to prevent injury and ensure no much of a scar remains once the procedure is over.

• Related: Gigli saws and their uses

Uses of Sponge holding forceps

Gynecology is the most common medical field that used sponge forceps. They are often used in surgical procedures for female sterilization, such as an intrauterine device being inserted. In such situations, it is generally recommended to use curved forceps.

1. Sponge Forceps or Foerster Sponge forceps, are normally used in surgical procedures to hold gauze squares that will absorb excess fluids and blood from the surgical site
2. These can be used during an abortion to keep the cervix and uterus in place, as well as after surgery for cervical inspections and removal of tissue.
3. A sponge holding forceps can also be used for non-surgical procedures. A doctor may use them during an examination to hold back the cervix or bladder.
4. The forceps can be used as a clamp to stop bleeding, as well as a divider to separate membranes that are stuck together.
5. Sponge forceps can also assist with vaginal tears and cervical checks during a postpartum checkup.
6. A medical process called a Vaginal Uterine Artery Ligation may also require sponge forceps. This intervention is used to help reduce the risk of post-birth hysterectomy. It also helps to prevent loss of blood.
7. Sponge forceps can also be used in applying only grafts for inguinal hernia repairs, as well as in removing polyps.
8. They can also be useful in holding cotton balls during colposcopy procedures.

Other uses Foerster sponge forceps

The use of sponge holding forceps is not limited to gynecology.

1. They may be used to treat abrasions as tonsil wipes. Grasping gauzes, sponges, and other sensitive materials is another of their many uses.
2. During lung surgery such as bullectomies, surgeons can use these forceps. Blunt tips allow surgeons to hold and collapse the lungs as well as gently move the lung tissue to explore the area completely. They are considered standard thoracic devices in such operations.

Here is the Bottom line?

In each surgery, sponge holding forceps are used to hold sponges and swabs during each surgical procedure. Sponge forceps come under the category of gynecological instruments, surgical instruments, dental instruments, and any other medical field.