Mayo scissors are used for which purpose?

• A. Blunt dissection; insert with tip CLOSED; rounded tip for fascia
• B. Fine, delicate tissue cutting
• C. Sharp dissection of fine tissues
• D. Puncturing abscesses

Answer: (A)

Mayo scissors are built for blunt dissection of fascia and other thick tissues. Their blades are heavy with blunt, rounded tips, so you insert them with the tips closed to protect underlying structures and then gently spread the tissue planes to separate them. This makes them ideal for releasing fascia without cutting delicate structures. They aren’t used for fine delicate tissue cutting, which is better done with finer scissors; they aren’t for sharp dissection of fine tissues, which requires sharper blades; and they aren’t for puncturing abscesses, which would use a needle or scalpel to puncture.