Loading a Needle Driver: Proper Technique

As might be expected from the name, needle drivers are used to hold and manipulate needles. They are most commonly held like scissors, with the thumb and ring fingers of the dominant hand. Needle drivers may be spun in the hand in order to manipulate or re-grab the needle. Having fingers deep within the rings of the needle driver renders this more difficult, therefore the needle driver should be held lightly. Some surgeons prefer to palm the needle driver, allowing easy rotation. This maneuver, however, is difficult and lessens control over opening and closing the needle driver. As an intermediate measure, the needle driver may be half-palmed, also called the thenar grip.

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