Cutting the Cord: Scalpel or Shears?

Raptor

Raptor

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During OB/Gyn class, the lecturer made it a point to instruct us to use shears versus the scalpel that's typically in the pre-packed kit. I understood it to be more for safety than a medical issue. However, as far as I know, we don't typically carry sterile shears. Is there any clear guidance on this?
 
I've always used the scalpel from the OB kit.
 
Yeah, don’t use your dirty shears. Are you wanting to cause an infection?

Use whatever clean and sterile device your OB kit comes with, either a scalpel or cord scissors.
 
DesertMedic66 said:
Yeah, don’t use your dirty shears. Are you wanting to cause an infection?

Use whatever clean and sterile device your OB kit comes with, either a scalpel or cord scissors.
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That was my thinking as well, but she was extremely insistent. Of course, a lecturer could be wrong...I was just wondering if I was missing something that negated the use of the scalpel.
 
Chainsaw
 
I just let it fall off naturally
 
In the ER, we have an OB emergency delivery kit. The contents are sterile. Guess what? The instrument for cutting the cord can be either scissors OR a scalpel. The key thing is that it is sterile until you open the kit and handle it. Use whatever is in the kit for the purpose of cutting the cord. The cord cutting doesn't have to be sterile but it MUST be clean. Personal trauma shears aren't likely going to be clean enough...don't use them.
 
Akulahawk said:
In the ER, we have an OB emergency delivery kit. The contents are sterile. Guess what? The instrument for cutting the cord can be either scissors OR a scalpel. The key thing is that it is sterile until you open the kit and handle it. Use whatever is in the kit for the purpose of cutting the cord. The cord cutting doesn't have to be sterile but it MUST be clean. Personal trauma shears aren't likely going to be clean enough...don't use them.
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Makes sense! Obviously, our OB kits are ordered pre-made - but is there any reason to build them with sterile shears instead of scalpels, or is it a non-issue?
 
IMHO, using a scalpel is just dangerous and really inefficient...the pro's that do it all the time just use the scissors. Don't know why these kits even have scalpels, just asking for trouble in the pre-hospital chaotic environment.
 
E tank said:
IMHO, using a scalpel is just dangerous and really inefficient...the pro's that do it all the time just use the scissors. Don't know why these kits even have scalpels, just asking for trouble in the pre-hospital chaotic environment.
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My thoughts exactly. I don't know why scalpels are even an option.
 
First baby I assisted on, the sac didn’t break, it just popped out of the vagina, intact. I had to use the scalpel to knick the sac so that mom had a wet runway. Then I used the same scalpel to cut the cord. All in the backseat of a car.

It’s only chaotic if you allow it to be.
 
CCCSD said:
First baby I assisted on, the sac didn’t break, it just popped out of the vagina, intact. I had to use the scalpel to knick the sac so that mom had a wet runway. Then I used the same scalpel to cut the cord. All in the backseat of a car.

It’s only chaotic if you allow it to be.
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I've seen surgeons cut the baby more than once with a scalpel doing that exact thing.
 
Akulahawk said:
In the ER, we have an OB emergency delivery kit. The contents are sterile. Guess what? The instrument for cutting the cord can be either scissors OR a scalpel. The key thing is that it is sterile until you open the kit and handle it. Use whatever is in the kit for the purpose of cutting the cord. The cord cutting doesn't have to be sterile but it MUST be clean. Personal trauma shears aren't likely going to be clean enough...don't use them.
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So you're saying, as long as I clean my chainsaw blade first, I can use it to cut the cord?

good to know...
 
DrParasite said:
So you're saying, as long as I clean my chainsaw blade first, I can use it to cut the cord?

good to know...
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As long as its not against any policy or procedure...
 
Honestly the risk of infection to the baby is pretty low, assuming you clamped correctly.. that tissue is dying almost immediately and there really shouldn’t be any bacterial transmission to the body..
 
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