When should Potts-Smith scissors be prepared for a surgeon?

Potts-Smith scissors are specifically designed for vascular procedures. Their unique shape and sharpness allow for precise cutting and manipulation of delicate vascular structures, making them particularly useful when working with arteries and veins. During vascular surgeries, the ability to carefully control the cutting action is crucial to minimize trauma to surrounding tissues and ensure proper hemostasis.

In contrast, while orthopedic procedures, abdominal surgeries, and skin lesion excisions may require various types of scissors, none are as specialized for vascular work as Potts-Smith scissors. For instance, orthopedic surgeries typically involve different instruments designed to work with bone and soft tissue, while abdominal surgeries often rely on a range of other dissecting and cutting tools tailored to the intra-abdominal environment. Skin lesion excisions usually utilize simpler scissors that allow for more straightforward access and excision of the lesion. Therefore, preparing Potts-Smith scissors is most pertinent in the context of vascular procedures.