IV cannula color code and size mnemonic

IV cannula color code and size mnemonic

Here is  an interesting way of remembering the colors of the IV cannulas that I found in the comments section of Quora. Hope it  is helpful!

We start from gauge size number 14 upto gauge size number 24.

All we have to do is remember the layers of the earth from the core right upto the sun.

1) Core of the earth is the innermost layer which is orange - number 14
2) Layer of clay which is grey - number 16
3) Layer of grass which is green - number 18
4) Flowers which are pink - number 20
5) The blue sky - number 22
6) The sun which is yellow- number 24
7) Beyond the Earth is the galaxy which is purple / violet - number 26

This mnemonic was written by our Medical Student Guest Author, Daksh Mehta!

Image Based MCQ on ENT instruments

Hello guys!

Yesterday we posted an Image based MCQ on ENT instruments.
And here's the answer for it.

#ENT
#Instruments

Q. The instrument shown in the above image is used in?

A. Thyroidectomy
B. Adenoidectomy
C. Tonsillectomy
D. Parathyroidectomy

Ans: c) Tonsillectomy

The instrument shown in the above image is Eve’s Tonsillar Snare, used in tonsillectomy.

Identification of the Instrument:

It consists of a long, thin, hollow tube with a stainless steel wire loop at one end which has Ratchet action. The other end has three large rings. These three rings allow the instrument to be operated using three fingers.

Uses:

It is used to snare the lower pole of Tonsil at the end of dissection. Advantage of using the snare to resect the tonsil is to minimize the bleeding by crushing the vascular pedicle, not cutting unlike scissors.

Procedure:

The instrument is held by inserting the forefinger and the middle finger into two rings on either side of the snare.The thumb is placed in the single ring at the back. This ring is actually located at the end of the plunger. Pulling the plunger with the thumb draws out the wire loop while it can be pulled back in by pressing the plunger with the thumb. The wire loop is first threaded over the Denis Browne tonsil holding forceps. The dissected tonsil is then held with the forceps and the wire loop moved over it until it surrounds the pedicle of the tonsil. The thumb is then pressed down to draw back the loop. The pedicle of the tonsil is crushedby this movement.

That's all!
Thank you.

MD Mobarak Hussain (Maahii)

Viva questions on bulb of Foley's catheter

Since it's exam season! :D

ENT instruments contents page

Hey, so because the contents page has expanded so much, I thought of making sub sections within the contents page for a few topics.

Here's the mini contents page for ENT instruments, this post is linked to the main contents page :)

Tongue depressor and bipod stand

Boyle- davis tongue depressor

This instrument is used to lower down the tongue and hold it while the Davis mouth gag serves to hold the mouth open during tonsillectomy and other oral procedures. it comes in various sizes and used depending upon the age of patient.

The mouth gag is held in position by using the Draffin bipod stand which consists of two rods.

Thats all
- Jaskunwar Singh

Tonsil holding forceps

Denis Browne's tonsil holding forceps

Used in tonsillectomy to grasp the tonsils and pull medially. (dissection method)

The shaft is bent at an angle towards the handle. Ends of this instrument are cup- shaped with holes.



Thats all
- Jaskunwar Singh

Killian's nasal speculum

Killian's long bladed self- retaining nasal speculum

Used in Submucous resection (SMR) and septoplasty procedures.

It helps keep mucoperichondrial flaps away to make space for proper access and vision to the interior of nose and perform surgery efficiently.

IMPORTANT: In septoplasty, the flap is raised only on one side while in SMR, both sides flaps are raised. So due to cosmetic reasons and high risk of septal complications, septoplasty is preferred over the submucous resection.


Thats all
- Jaskunwar Singh

Direct Laryngoscope

As the name suggests, this instrument is used for direct visualization of larynx and hypopharynx. 

Walsham's forceps

Walsham's forceps

Uses: to correct lateral deviation of fractured nose and disimpaction

and repositioning of bony fragments.

Most students get confused between Walsham's forceps and Asch's forceps. The difference is in the structure of the instruments itself.

Walsham's forceps: paired instrument used for reduction of nasal bone fractures. One nasal blade is placed externally while the other blade goes into the nose and supports the nasal bone.
Also, the blades are not elevated in walsham's forceps as in the case of asch's.

Asch's forceps: unpaired instrument used for reduction of nasal septum and vomer fractures. It is used along with Walsham's forceps for the reduction procedures. The blades are elevated. (ASCh = Ascending)


Thats all
- Jaskunwar Singh

Trousseau's tracheal dilator

Trousseau's tracheal dilator

Used to widen the tracheal incision to aid in the insertion of

 tracheostomy tube.

Remember: It is curved at its ends so that it doesn't block the field of vision of the surgeon while making the incision and insertion of the tube.

Thats all
- Jaskunwar Singh

Toynbee's ear speculum

Toynbee's ear speculum

Uses: Examination of external ear and tympanic membrane

In operative procedures like myringoplasty, myringotomy.
Removal of wax, foreign body, otomycosis, ear discharge.

Different sizes for patients according to age.

Thats all
- Jaskunwar Singh

Tonsil artery forceps

This instrument is of two types: straight and curved.

Straight forceps (Birkitt's tonsil artery forceps) used to catch the bleeding point. (in tonsillar fossa) following tonsillectomy.

Birkitt's first tonsillar artery forceps

Wilson's second artery forceps

Curved forceps used as replacement forceps before tying a ligature to the bleeding points following tonsillectomy. (also called Second tonsillar artery forceps)


Thats all
- Jaskunwar Singh

Asch's forceps

Asch's septum forceps

Used for reducing procedures in cases of nasal septum fractures. (Reduction Rhinoplasty) 

The septum is grasped with the blades of this instrument and straightened to make proper alignment.

The blades are elevated. Remember ASCh- Ascending.

The instrument is often confused with Walsham's fracture. Both are used in reduction procedures of fractures of nasal septum.
To know about differentiating features, click here.

Thats all
- Jaskunwar Singh

Thudicum's nasal speculum

Used to examine external nose.

Light is focused at different sites to examine antero- inferior part of nasal septum, roof, floor, and lateral wall by tilting patient's head in various directions.

There's a specific technique to hold this instrument during examination of the patient. Its really simple but if you don't practice to hold it, you will forget it for sure.
 Keep your ring finger beneath one arm of the speculum and index finger in between the two arms. Press the other arm with middle finger such that the two lower ends meet. 

Here's the picture of the right way to hold it.-

Luc's forceps

Lets start with instruments used in surgical procedures of Otorhinolaryngology..

Firstly, lets talk about Luc's forceps.

This instrument has a fenestrated tip with sharp blades to hold

and grasp a tissue and cut it. So basically it is used for cutting.

Uses:

1. As the name suggests, it is used in Caldwell- Luc's operation (Anterior antrostomy) for removing antral mucosa. 

2. Submucosal Resection of nasal septum. (to remove bone or cartilage from the septum required for a graft)

3. Polypectomy  

4. Turbinectomy

Thats all

- Jaskunwar Singh

MBBS surgery instruments mnemonic

Surgery instruments mnemonic! Yaay!

Before you start reading, make sure you have (a little) general idea on what they look like & where they are used.. Because otherwise it'll sound completely bonkers! You make ask any doubts in the comments section below :)

Also you are free to contribute any crazy mnemonics you've made while learning these & we'll update this section accordingly! Have fun ^__^

Kocher's forceps mnemonic.
I call it Ko-chew.
You need teeth for chewing.
And that's how I remember that Kocher's looks like an artery forceps except for the apposing tooth in the tip.

Difference between Iris repositor and IOL dialer

Iris repositor has a straight or bent "blade" with blunt edges.

IOL dialer has a bent "tip".

This diagram should help you -

Sinskey hook or IOL dialer

Keratome

Irrigating wire vectis