Cheatle forceps - history, dimensions, uses & precautions

 

What is Cheatle Forceps?

Cheatle forceps are specialist medical tools employed during gynecologic and urologic treatments. Objects and tissue can be grasped and held by them during operations including cystoscopy surgery, urethral dilatation, and stone removal.

Overview / Product Profile of Cheatle Forceps:

The shape of cheatle forceps is distinctive, with a long, thin handle and a curved, flattened tip. The curved form enables for enhanced access and agility, while the flattened tip offers for a better hold on the tissue or object being handled. Cheatle forceps are typically made of stainless steel or titanium, and are available in various sizes to suit the needs of different procedures.

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Dimensions:

Length: 

Typically Cheatle Forceps are available in lengths between 12-15 cm (4.7-5.9 inches). 

Width of tip: 

Generally Cheatle forceps are available with width of tip between 0.5-1 cm (0.2-0.4 inches).

Width of handle:

Generally Cheatle forceps are available with width of handle between 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 inches).

Note: The above dimensions may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and specific design of the instrument. It's always advisable to consult with the manufacturer's specifications and guidance for accurate measurements.

Uses of Cheatle Forceps:

Cheatle forceps are specialized medical instruments that are used in a variety of procedures. Some of the common uses of Cheatle forceps include:

1) Urethral Dilation: Cheatle forceps are used to gently stretch the urethra to relieve strictures or blockages.
2) Stone Removal: Cheatle forceps are used to remove stones or other foreign objects from the bladder or ureter.
3) Cystoscopy: Cheatle forceps are used to grasp and hold tissue during cystoscopic procedures, such as biopsies or the removal of tumors.
4) Ureterorenoscopy: Cheatle forceps are used to remove stones or other foreign objects from the ureter by using a scope which is passed through the bladder and up the ureter.
5) Prostate Biopsy: Cheatle forceps are used to hold and manipulate tissue during a transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy.
6) Foreign Object Removal: Cheatle forceps are used to remove foreign objects such as coins, batteries, and other small objects that might be accidentally swallowed.
7) General Surgery: Cheatle forceps are used in general surgery to grasp and hold tissue during procedures such as laparotomy, laparoscopy, and thoracotomy.
8) Gynecologic Procedures: Cheatle forceps are used in various gynecologic procedures such as hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy.

It's important to note that the above-listed uses are not an exhaustive list and Cheatle forceps might have other uses not listed above depending on the surgeon's expertise and the specific procedure that's being done.

Precautions with Cheatle forceps:

1) Clean and Sterilize: Cheatle forceps should be properly cleaned and sterilized before and after each use to prevent infection.
2) Proper Technique: Surgeons should be familiar with the specific features and capabilities of the Cheatle forceps they are using, and they should use proper technique to avoid injury to the patient.
3) Handle with Care: Cheatle forceps should be handled with care to avoid dropping or damaging the instrument.
4) Use the Right Size: Cheatle forceps come in different sizes, and it's important to use the right size for the procedure, to avoid over-stretching or tearing the tissue.
5) Avoid Over-tightening: Cheatle forceps have a ratchet mechanism to provide better control during the procedure, but it's important to avoid over-tightening to avoid injuring the patient.
6) Consider the risks and benefits: Each procedure and patient are unique, and as such, it's important to weigh the risks and benefits of using Cheatle forceps on a case-by-case basis.
7) Follow Standards: Adhere to the standard procedures and guidelines for the use of the Cheatle forceps to ensure safety, and to avoid any complications that might arise.
8) Proper Storage: Ensure that Cheatle forceps are stored in a clean, dry and safe place, and out of reach of children, to avoid any accidents.

History of Cheatle forceps:

The Cheatle forceps, often referred to as the Cheatle-Henley or Cheatle-Hodge forceps, are a kind of surgical tool used to treat neonatal jaundice. Henry Cheatle, a British physician, invented the forceps in the late 19th century.

When Cheatle initially started experimenting with the use of forceps to remove bilirubin, a pigment that causes jaundice, from the gallbladder of jaundiced children, while he was employed at the London Hospital for Sick Children. Bloodletting, or the removal of the infant's blood, was the conventional treatment at the time for newborn jaundice. Cheatle began to design a new method of treating jaundice that entailed the removal of the bilirubin directly from the gallbladder, realising that the traditional treatment was useless and frequently harmful.

In 1887, Cheatle published a paper outlining his new technique, which required making a tiny abdominal incision and using a pair of forceps to retrieve bilirubin from the gallbladder. The forceps had a small, rounded tip that could be used to grab and remove bilirubin from the gallbladder, as well as two blades that could be opened and closed like scissors. The Cheatle forceps were given Cheatle's name and came to be known as such.

Many medical professionals were sceptical of Cheatle's approach, but it eventually won support as a secure and successful treatment for infant jaundice. The Cheatle forceps were adopted by paediatricians in other regions of the world and quickly became widely used in Europe and America.

The forceps became known as Cheatle-Henley forceps in the early 20th century after Dr. Henley significantly refined Cheatle's design.

Today, newer approaches, such phototherapy, which uses light to break down bilirubin in the blood, have essentially replaced the use of Cheatle forceps for the treatment of newborn jaundice. The Cheatle forceps, however, are still employed in some regions of the world, particularly in rural or resource-constrained areas where more sophisticated treatments are not accessible.



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