Surgical Tools for the Interventional Radiologist

Many of the instruments used in interventional radiology originated in surgical practice and have been adapted for minimally invasive procedures. Formal training in the design, handling, and optimal use of these instruments is not typically included in interventional radiology education. The purpose of this article is to provide a basic overview of these tools, including their names, variants, uses, and other potentially valuable details, using a pictorial approach. Included are scalpels, pickups, scissors, needle drivers, clamps, retractors, electrocautery, and sutures.