ENT Instruments – Uses (Quick Reference)
Prepared for quick revision / viva support
Mollison mastoid retractor (self■retaining)
• To retract skin, subcutaneous tissue, and periosteum in mastoidectomy and other post■auricular approaches.
• Provides a wide, stable exposure without an assistant holding it.
• Used in parotidectomy, cochlear implant surgery, and neck dissections through post■auricular incisions.
• Helps maintain a bloodless field by keeping flaps under tension.
• Can also be used in temporal bone fracture exploration.
St Clair Thompson adenoid curette with guard
• Excision of adenoids while the guard prevents injury to soft palate, posterior choanae, and Eustachian tube or
• Ensures en bloc removal of adenoid tissue and reduces slipping inferiorly into the oropharynx.
• Useful for curetting tissue around the vomer and choanal margins.
• Can be used to obtain adenoid tissue for histopathology.
• Helpful in revision adenoidectomy to protect surrounding structures.
Eve’s tonsil snare
• Crushes and cuts the tonsillar pedicle during tonsillectomy, providing hemostasis by crushing vessels before d
• Reduces intraoperative blood loss compared to simple scissors division.
• Limits depth of tissue removed, reducing risk of pillar injury.
• Facilitates rapid completion of the ‘snare’ step after dissecting the tonsil from the bed.
Bronchoscope (rigid/flexible)
• Diagnostic visualization of larynx, trachea, and bronchi in airway symptoms or suspected lesions.
• Foreign body retrieval from airway, especially with rigid bronchoscope in children.
• Endobronchial biopsy, brushings, bronchoalveolar lavage, and transbronchial needle aspiration.
• Therapeutic procedures: dilatation, laser/electrocautery debulking, stent placement, cryotherapy, suctioning of
plugs.
• Assisted intubation and airway control in difficult airways (flexible).
Oesophagoscope (rigid/flexible)
• Diagnosis and removal of esophageal foreign bodies (coins, bones, dentures).
• Biopsy of suspected malignant or benign esophageal lesions.
• Dilatation of strictures (e.g., corrosive, peptic, post■radiation) under vision.
• Stent placement and palliative procedures for malignant obstruction (more commonly with flexible).
• Control of bleeding and evaluation of leaks or perforations (carefully, with imaging guidance).
Negus artery forceps
• Hemostasis during tonsillectomy—clamping the tonsillar artery/branches.
• Passing ligatures around vessels in the tonsillar fossa using the eye of the forceps.
• Securing bleeding points in oral cavity and oropharyngeal procedures.
• Useful in other head & neck surgeries for holding and tying off vessels.
Tonsil artery forceps (curved and straight)
• To clamp and hold bleeding tonsillar vessels during tonsillectomy.
• Curved type reaches deeper pedicles and around corners within the tonsillar fossa.
• Straight type preferred for superficial bleeding points and for applying ligatures on accessible vessels.
• Also used for blunt dissection and traction in the oropharynx.
Denis Browne’s tonsil holding forceps
• To grasp and hold the tonsil firmly during tonsillectomy for traction and counter■traction.
• Atraumatic serrations minimize crushing while preventing slippage.
• Helps deliver the tonsil medially to facilitate dissection of the peritonsillar plane.
• Occasionally used to hold adenoid or other oropharyngeal tissue for removal.
Indirect laryngoscope (laryngeal mirror)
• Outpatient visualization of larynx, vocal cords, epiglottis, and hypopharynx using mirror and headlight.
• Assessment of vocal cord mobility in dysphonia, paralysis, or pre■/post■operative evaluation.
• Detection of lesions like nodules, polyps, leukoplakia, and tumors.
• Guiding office■based minor procedures (e.g., topicalization, biopsy in select cases).
Posterior rhinoscope (post■nasal mirror)
• Examination of nasopharynx, posterior choanae, adenoids, and posterior ends of inferior/middle turbinates.
• Assessment of choanal atresia, adenoid hypertrophy, posterior septal deviations, and nasopharyngeal masses
• Evaluation of post■nasal space bleeding sites.
• Now largely supplanted by nasal endoscopy but still examined in viva/OSCE settings.
Thudicum nasal speculum
• Anterior rhinoscopy—spreading the nasal vestibule for inspection of septum, turbinates, and floor of nose.
• Facilitates anterior nasal packing, cauterization, polypectomy, foreign body removal, and suctioning.
• Used during office procedures like biopsy of anterior septal lesions.
• Provides gentle yet firm retraction without injuring the ala.
Jackson’s tracheostomy tube
• Metallic, usually uncuffed, double■cannula tube used for long■term tracheostomy care.
• Inner cannula can be removed for cleaning, reducing blockage from crusts and secretions.
• Maintains tracheal stoma patency and airway in obstructive upper airway lesions.
• Suitable when positive pressure ventilation and aspiration protection are not primary needs.
Cuffed suction■aid tracheostomy tube
• Provides a seal for positive pressure ventilation and reduces risk of aspiration.
• Integrated suction channel allows removal of secretions from above the cuff, lowering VAP risk.
• Useful in ICU patients requiring prolonged ventilation and secretion management.
• Allows subglottic suctioning without repeated catheter passes, minimizing mucosal trauma.
