Surgical Supplies, Instruments, and Implants for the Operating Room

Primary authors	Nathan M. Radcliffe, MD

**Table A-1.** Suture Materials for Glaucoma Surgery
Suture	Purpose
10-0 nylon	Suture cornea
9-0 or 8-0 nylon	Secure tube or plate to sclera
7-0 silk	Traction suture
7-0 Vicryl	Tube ligation
8-0 or 9-0 Vicryl	Conjunctival closure
4-0 or 5-0 nylon	Tube occlusion/stenting suture

**Table A-2.** Blades and Needles for Glaucoma Surgery
Instrument	Purpose
15-degree or No. 75 stab blade	Paracentesis
22-gauge or 23-gauge needle	Create ostomy for tube insertion
26-gauge needle	Create ostomy Ex-Press P-50 placement
Beaver blade (No. 57 or 69)	Outline scleral flap
Crescent blade	Dissect scleral flap
No. 11 BD Bard-Parker blade	Venting or “Sherwood” tube slits
1.7-mm keratome	Trabectome incision

**Table A-3.** Instruments for the Glaucoma Surgical Tray
Instrument	Purpose
Eyelid speculum	Retract eyelids
Kelly-Descemet punch	Excise trabeculo-Descemet’s window
Jameson muscle hook	Expose and isolate rectus muscle
Cautery with thin “intraocular” tip	Hemostasis
Vannas scissors	Dissect conjunctiva and Tenon’s capsule
Smooth-tipped conjunctival forceps	Retract conjunctiva and Tenon’s capsule
Westcott or mini-Westcott scissors	Dissect conjunctiva and Tenon’s capsule
Balanced salt solution on a 30-gauge cannula	Reform anterior chamber, pressurize eye
0.12 forceps	Manipulate tissue, suture scleral flap
0.3 or 0.5 forceps	Place glaucoma drainage device
Needle holder (small)	Close conjunctiva
Needle holder (large)	Tie 7-0 Vicryl tube ligature