How much does a Needleholder cost?
Needleholders are one of the most common instruments found in theatres, specialist or medical centres. Hallmark Surgical has over 16,000 different instruments in their range and one question we often get it ‘how much does a Needleholder, or scissor, or retractor cost?”
With many styles and variations of Needleholder to choose from, in this article, we are going to cover the three main factors influencing the cost of a Needleholder:
- The brand
- The style and size of the Needle holder
- Stainless-steel jaws or tungsten carbide jaws
Let’s explain these further.
Brand:
Like any item, the brand and the quality and consumer trust that the brand stands for dramatically influence the price. Here at Hallmark Surgical, we offer three brand options to allow you to select the best option for your requirement and budget. These three brands, namely, Pro-Med, Sieger and Sterling, can be differentiated as follows:
- Pro-Med™ is the best of the best – elite, precision-crafted Instruments machined from a selection of 16 high-grade surgical Stainless Steels and alloys with a matchless quality control record. Strict production controls result in an exceptional quality record of a 1:30,000 return rate, often referred to as the Surgeon’s ultimate Instrument with perfect balance, consistency, durability and function. ProMed has a lifetime guarantee covering you if a quality concern is raised and is premature; it will be replaced free of charge.
- Sieger™ – professionally machined Instruments utilising volume production methods from 10 different grades of Stainless Steel and surgical Alloys. Used in many Theatres throughout New Zealand and globally, Sieger™ provides excellent economy and performance and is widely preferred for its value for money. A lifetime guarantee also covers you from manufacturer defects and premature failure on all Sieger instruments.
- Sterling™ is a brand of volume-produced instruments, well machined and finished in high Chromium Stainless Steel at minimal prices. Sterling™ is well accepted by Doctors for clinical use, ideally suited for Outpatient and Emergency Depts. Medical Centres, Ward use and Instruments that are only used occasionally or are frequently lost, such as Ball and Socket Towel Forceps and sharp/blunt Scissors.
The style of Needleholder
The style and size of the Needle Holder also influence the price. For example, a 15cm common Crile Wood Needle Holder is quite different in price to a 36cm Bariatric Needle Holder or a fine specialised Vascular Needle Holder. Let’s cover the most common styles of Needle Holders and the type of procedures they’re used for.
A Derf Needle Holder is straight with serrated jaws, a central groove and a length of 4-3/4 inches commonly used for 5-0 and 6-0 sutures. A Derf Needle Holder is often used for ophthalmic, dental, or plastic surgery procedures. The shorter length allows the Derf Needle Holder to be easily controlled in smaller surgical zones. A Derf Needle Holder can range from approximately $50 to $370, depending on the brand and whether it has a tungsten carbide insert in the jaw.
A Halsey Needle Holder has smooth or serrated jaws and narrow shanks. Initially designed for ophthalmic surgery, this needle holder can grasp the suture and pass it through delicate tissues. More commonly used for general minor procedures such as plastic surgery and dermatology. The smooth jaw option will cause minor damage to the needle, whilst the more popular serrated jaws will hold the needle firmly. A Halsey Needle Holder ranges from just under $60 to $420 depending on the brand, serrated or smooth jaw and if a tungsten carbide insert jaw is chosen.
A Crile-Wood Needle Holder is designed with a dependable non-slip crosshatched surface and a serrated jaw. Available with smooth or serrated jaws, curved or straight tips and tungsten carbide inserted tips. Crile-Wood needle holders are similar to Mayo-Hegar, but the end tip is finer and gently tapered. Crile-Wood needle holder is the most commonly used need holder for general surgical procedures, with 3-0,4-0,5-0, 6-0 sutures. It is available in various lengths, 15cm, 18cm and 20cm. A Crile-wood Needleholder ranges between $60 and $460 in price.
The Mayo-Hegar is one of the most used needle holders in operating rooms. Mayo-Hegar Needle Holders are the most used needle holders; the needle holders have a wide cross-serrated tip and handle larger, heavier suture needles. A thick shank helps to hold the needle securely. Mayo-Hegar needle holders are available in sizes from 14cm to 40cm. Small sizes can be used for oral, gyne or minor procedures; large needle holders are used for deep suturing or bariatrics. Pricing on Mayo-Hegar Needleholders ranges from $55 to $1200.
Olsen-Hegar Needle Holders feature a scissor built into the jaw for a two-in-one combination. The jaws are available in smooth or serrated, while the combination construction allows for suturing and suture cutting without changing instruments. A range of lengths are available from 12cm to 18cm, and they are all available in both stainless steel and tungsten carbide tips. Olsen-Hegar needle holders are different to use compared to standard Needleholders. The cutting blades often create resistance when using the Needle holder, as they are constantly touching when opening and closing. This is perfectly normal but is not appreciated by some users. Pricing for Olsen-Hegar Needleholders ranges from just over $110 to $575.
Stainless Steel vs Tungsten Carbide:
Tungsten Carbide material is exceptionally durable and has a much longer working life. As a result, it is used in reusable surgical instruments to enhance their performance and longevity. In addition, needleholders with tungsten carbide tips grasp more securely than their stainless-steel counterparts.
Although the tool’s base is crafted with stainless steel, the tip of the tool’s blade or the end of the utensil is made from tungsten carbide. Tungsten falls between 8.5 and 9 on Moh’s hardness scale (diamonds have a hardness of 10). Because of these improvements and benefits, Tungsten Carbide Needleholders is often 2-3 times more expensive than stainless steel alternatives. However, despite this cost increase, Tungsten Carbide Needleholders are much more common than stainless steel Needleholders.
Another benefit to tungsten carbide tips is that they tips can be replaced. This means that once a Needleholder wears out, you may not need to replace the entire instrument, saving some cost for ongoing use.
Most manufacturers colour the handles gold to signify whether a Needleholder has tungsten carbide tips. However, if the colour coding has worn off over time, you may be able to see a small line at the tip, marking where the tungsten carbide inserts sit.
We trust you have found this information helpful and valuable. If you would like to discuss your exact Needleholder or instrument needs, contact the team today!
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