Plastic Surgery Scissors: Metzenbaum, Mayo, Iris and Rhinoplasty Patterns

Scissors are chosen by tissue and depth. Fine dissecting scissors such as the Metzenbaum, Kaye and Gorney spread and cut soft tissue and come long enough to work deep. Heavier Mayo scissors cut fascia and tougher tissue. Small iris, tenotomy and stitch scissors handle fine work and sutures. Rhinoplasty scissors such as the Fomon, Joseph and Cottle angled patterns are shaped for the nose. The blade finish matters too: supercut blades cut more cleanly, and tungsten carbide inserts keep their edge for longer.

Where do the scissor names come from?

The Metzenbaum is named after Myron Metzenbaum (1876 to 1944), a Cleveland ear, nose and throat surgeon who later worked in reconstructive surgery. The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History records his career, and the history of the scissors says he designed them because he found larger scissors hard to handle during tonsillectomy, and that he never patented them. That is one reason they are made everywhere today. The Mayo scissors carry the name of the Mayo Clinic, with wider blades and thicker spines than the Metzenbaum.

Which scissors do which job?

Standard, supercut or tungsten carbide?

• Standard stainless blades suit general use and are the least costly.
• Supercut scissors have one blade ground to a razor sharp edge, so they cut tissue cleanly with less crushing. They are the usual choice for facelift and fine dissection.
• Tungsten carbide inserts on the blade edges stay sharp for longer. The Solz gold tip scissors use them.
• TC plus supercut combines both, and the Baby Metzenbaum, Kelly and Fanous come that way.

Many of our scissors offer these finishes as options on one product page, curved or straight.

How do you choose a length and curve?

Choose the shortest scissor that reaches the tissue comfortably, because a longer scissor is harder to control at the tip. Curved blades let you see the tips and follow a plane. Straight blades suit cutting sutures and straight lines. Keep tissue scissors for tissue only: cutting sutures or dressings with dissecting scissors dulls them quickly.

How should scissors be cleaned?

Open the scissors to clean the joint and both inner faces, and lubricate the joint with instrument milk before sterilizing. Test sharpness on a test material, not by feel. Never leave instruments in saline, because it causes corrosion. Our instrument care guide gives the full routine, and the CDC guidance on cleaning instruments before sterilization explains why cleaning comes before the autoclave.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Metzenbaum and Mayo scissors?

Metzenbaum scissors are long and fine, for delicate soft tissue. Mayo scissors have wider, heavier blades for fascia and tougher tissue.

What does supercut mean?

One blade is ground to a razor sharp edge, so the scissor cuts cleanly with less tissue crush.

Are tungsten carbide scissors worth it?

If the scissor is used often, yes: the inserts keep their edge for longer and can be resharpened.

Can scissors be autoclaved?

Yes. Clean and lubricate the joint first, and sterilize them open or unlocked.

Related instrument guides

• Tissue and dressing forceps
• Needle holder types
• Hemostatic forceps
• Rhinoplasty osteotomes and chisels

Order scissors

See the full scissor range. For a set for a hospital, a clinic or a distributor, send us your list and we will send you a quote.