Facelift Dissecting Scissors, Freeman Gorney Pattern, 14.5 cm to 23 cm

What are facelift dissecting scissors?

Facelift dissecting scissors are long bladed scissors, 14.5 cm to 23 cm, with slim tapered blades and a fine blunt tip, used to lift a skin flap away from the tissue underneath in one continuous plane. The Freeman Gorney pattern is the uncoated version of the instrument most rhytidectomy surgeons learn on. Adas Instruments manufactures it in Sialkot from German surgical stainless steel, in five lengths, curved or straight.

Why this pattern, and how it differs from the coated one

• Long blade, short travel per cut. The blade is long because the plane is long. Short bladed dissecting scissors force dozens of small cuts and a ragged flap.
• Blunt tip that finds the plane. The surgeon pushes closed tips forward to feel where the tissue separates, then opens the blades. A sharp tip goes through the dermis.
• Uncoated, and cheaper for it. This is the same geometry as our titanium coated Gorney scissors without the coating. Choose coated if you work under a headlight and glare bothers you, uncoated if you do not.
• Five lengths. The plane changes depth from the preauricular area into the neck, and most surgeons carry two lengths.
• Made in our own workshop. Forged, ground, hardened and inspected by us.

Clinical applications

Size chart

Curved facelift dissecting scissors are the usual first purchase, because the curve keeps the tip travelling in the plane instead of turning up into the dermis. Straight facelift dissecting scissors suit the flat run across the neck. One pair only, take 16 cm curved.

Technical specifications

Care and sterilisation

• Rinse the dissecting scissors in cool water immediately. Blood dried in the box joint stiffens the action, and a stiff pair of dissecting scissors is the commonest reason a set is sent back to us.
• Clean ultrasonically with a neutral pH detergent, joint fully open.
• Lubricate the joint with instrument milk before each autoclave cycle.
• Autoclave at 134 C for 3 minutes and dry fully before storage.
• Check the blades meet along their whole length. A pair that cuts at the tip and not the heel needs setting, not sharpening.
• Store flat with the tips protected. A long thin blade bends easily under a heavier instrument.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between these and the titanium coated version?

The geometry is identical. The coated pair is matt and dark so it does not throw headlight glare back at you under the flap, and the coating lasts longer under heavy use. These uncoated dissecting scissors cost less and cut the same.

Curved or straight?

Curved for the face, because the curve follows the contour and keeps the tip in the plane. Straight for the flat run across the neck. Most facelift trays carry one of each.

Why are the blades so long?

Because the dissection plane is long. A short blade forces many small cuts, and every restart is a chance to change level and tear the flap.

Can these be used for anything other than a facelift?

Yes. Any long subcutaneous flap, including neck lift, brow lift and reconstructive work on the trunk.

Do you supply the three length set?

We do. The dissecting set of three covers the usual working lengths in one purchase and costs less than buying them separately.

Related instruments

Browse the full plastic surgery scissors range, or the wider plastic surgery instruments catalogue.

• Gorney Scissors, Titanium Coated, the same geometry with a non reflective coating.
• Freeman Gorney Facelift Scissors Set of 3, three graduated lengths together.
• Metzenbaum Scissors Razor Edge, for blunt dissection deeper than a skin flap.