mayo needle holder

A needle holder used during surgery is a type of clamp that the surgeon uses to hold the needle while closing a wound. A needle holder in a sewing machine holds the needle in place so that sewing can be accomplished.

Needle holder is similar to hemostat, the main different is at the jaw area where needle holder is smaller and thicker compared to heamostat.

The surgical needle holder is used to hold the needle when closing a wound with sutures. The needle holder is similar to scissors in appearance, but has small jaws (smooth or serrated, depending on use) and handles that lock the holder closed on the needle. This allows the surgeon to pass the needle through both sides of the wound -- a process requiring rotation of the holder -- without dropping the needle.

Needle holders come in a variety of sizes and types, but the most common are those that look like a Kelly hemostat clamp (but with shorter jaws), in sizes running from 5 to 7 inches in length.

an etui is a small needle holder