During an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, which instrument should the surgical technologist provide if the surgeon needs to grasp a vessel?

The Debakey forceps are designed specifically for grasping soft tissues and delicate structures, making them particularly useful in vascular surgeries such as abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Their serrated jaws provide a secure grip on vessels without causing damage, which is crucial when handling blood vessels that can be fragile.

In contrast, Metzenbaum scissors are primarily used for cutting and dissecting tissue and are not suitable for grasping. Sponge sticks are typically used for handling sponges and controlling bleeding but do not offer the specificity needed for grasping vessels. Adson forceps, while useful for grasping tissue, do not provide the same level of secure grip on vascular structures as Debakey forceps do, due to their smaller grasping surface. Therefore, when the surgeon needs to effectively grasp a vessel during the procedure, providing Debakey forceps is the most appropriate choice.