A/R (Sharp/Blunt) Surgical Scissors: what are they and when will you use them in clinical practice?

The sharp/blunt-tipped scissors are another essential instrument in your kit, and their name already gives you a clue as to their design: one of the two blades ends in a sharp point (sharp) and the other in a rounded tip (blunt). This combination is no coincidence; it serves a very specific purpose.

What are they used for?
The blunt tip glides beneath the tissue or suture without the risk of piercing or damaging adjacent structures (such as the mucosa or the patient’s own tissue), whilst the sharp tip allows for a precise cut exactly where you need it. This is why they are one of the most commonly used scissors for safely removing sutures.

What you need to know:

Tip combination: one sharp (pointed) and one blunt (rounded), unlike A/A scissors where both tips are sharp
The blunt design protects soft tissue whilst inserting the scissors prior to cutting
Usually made from surgical stainless steel, suitable for autoclave sterilisation
Reusable after the appropriate sterilisation cycle

When will you need them? Mainly for removing sutures in the post-operative period, and also in minor oral surgery procedures where the risk of tissue injury during cutting needs to be minimised.