Woodruff Ligature Needle

Description

Woodruff Ligature Needle

The Woodruff ligature needle mounts a curved, eyed point on a long handle. With it, you carry a ligature or suture around a band of tissue. It comes in 13cm, with a curve that turns either left or right.

How a ligature needle works

Unlike a swaged needle, a ligature needle stays on its handle. You pass the curved tip around tissue, thread a ligature through the eye, then withdraw. As a result, the ligature follows the path of the curve. Surgeons use this approach in orbital and oculoplastic work, among other fields.

Left or right curve

Both options share a 13cm length and a curved edge type. The left and right versions turn the tip in opposite directions. So choose based on your dominant hand and the side you work from. Many surgeons keep a pair. Options:

• Size: 13cm
• Edge type: curved
• Jaw orientation: left
• Jaw orientation: right

Passing the needle

Hold the handle firmly and rotate your wrist to follow the curve. Then bring the tip out on the far side of the tissue. Thread the ligature through the eye. Finally, reverse the rotation to draw it back.

Care for the eye and point

Ligature thread can leave fibers in the eye of the needle. So clean it with a fine brush after each case. After that, rinse, dry and inspect the point. It ships non-sterile, and it can return to the tray after each round of cleaning and steam.

Woodruff needle warranty and links

A Woodruff needle from Intrace has three years against manufacturing defects covering handle, shaft and eye. The steel answers to ASTM F899. See more ophthalmic and orbital instruments. For lacrimal work, view the Anel lacrimal cannula. You can find order help on our FAQ page.

Professional use only. Read how to clean ligature needles and when we ship.