Jorgensen Scissors

Long, acutely curved dissecting scissors cataloged for open gynecologic surgery. A Jorgensen-pattern pair helps reach and divide exposed tissue in a deep pelvic field. Blade weight, tip geometry and edge vary by model, so select the actual model and blade condition for the tissue and nearby structures.^[5][6]

Design

• Curve and reach. Teleflex lists acutely curved Jorgenson models at 22 cm (342273) and 35.5 cm (175052). Check the chosen model rather than treating 20–23 cm as universal.^[5][6]
• Specialty and reuse. Aspen lists its Jorgenson dissecting model 54-4151 for gynecologic surgery and as reusable. Its linked general reusable-instrument instructions apply unless a device-specific instruction supersedes them.^[7][8]
• Tips, edge and handles: inspect the actual instrument; do not assume all Jorgensen models have blunt tips, serrations, the same box lock or superior cutting force. A rounded tip, when present, does not replace visual control or protection of adjacent structures.

Reconstructive-Urology and Urogyn Uses

These are open-surgery applications from operative practice, not comparative data against Mayo or Metzenbaum. Confirm exposure, pedicle control and model suitability before cutting.

Hysterectomy and pelvic reconstruction

• Open abdominal hysterectomy (adjunctive to RU/urogyn reconstruction such as sacrocolpopexy or VVF repair). Transecting cardinal and uterosacral ligaments, dividing thick clamped pedicles (uterine artery, IP / utero-ovarian), cutting the vaginal cuff.
• Radical hysterectomy. Selected exposed parametrial, paravaginal or uterosacral tissue if a curved scissor is appropriate. Kieback and Burke described purpose-modified ureter-mobilization and parametrial scissors, which are separate instruments.^[3]
• Myomectomy. Through dense pseudocapsule / myometrium around large fibroids.
• Adhesiolysis in patients with prior pelvic surgery, endometriosis, or PID.
• Pelvic-floor reconstruction. Dense fascial / ligamentous transection during sacrocolpopexy, paravaginal repair.

Open abdominal / urologic RU

• Open radical cystectomy and prostatectomy. Dense pedicles, broad-ligament-equivalent vascular pedicles, paravesical / paraprostatic dense tissue.
• Open nephrectomy / partial nephrectomy. Selected exposed fibrous tissue if reach and blade geometry suit the field; not an instrument-choice rule for renal hilar vessels.
• Re-operative abdominal exposure. Dense scarred fascia, mature adhesions, fibrotic peritoneal entry through prior surgical fields.
• Complex re-do pelvic operations for hostile re-entry, fistula repair, adhesion takedown.

Bowel and mesentery

• Bowel resection during diversion / augmentation. Transecting thick mesenteric pedicles when a Mayo deflects.
• Hernia repair. Dense scar at fascial edges during complex ventral / incisional repairs.

Jorgensen vs Mayo vs Metzenbaum — Decision Hierarchy

This is a task-selection comparison. Model details and local preference vary.

Feature	Metzenbaum	Mayo (curved)	Jorgensen
Typical role	Fine soft-tissue dissection	Firmer tissue or material cutting, by model	Acutely curved reach for selected exposed pelvic tissue
Geometry	Straight/curved variants	Straight/curved variants	Acutely curved Teleflex examples
Tip and force	Model-specific	Model-specific	Model-specific
Example length	Model-specific	Model-specific	22 or 35.5 cm in two Teleflex catalog entries
Decision point	Delicate plane	Firmer exposed layer/material	Deep exposure where the chosen curve and reach help

Mental model: choose by tissue, access and the instrument's actual edge, not by an assumed three-step force hierarchy.

Mechanism

• Acutely curved blade geometry can provide a useful working angle in a deep exposed field; it does not ensure a safe cutting plane.
• Cutting performance depends on the selected model, edge condition, tissue, and exposure. Catalog geometry alone cannot establish less hand fatigue, fewer perforations or less tissue trauma.

Limitations

• Not for fine dissection. Too bulky and imprecise for delicate plane work, peritoneal opening, peri-ureteral dissection. Switch to Metzenbaum.
• Not automatically needed for routine fascia. A suitable Mayo may serve ordinary fascial cutting; choose the Jorgensen pattern when its curve or reach is useful.
• Limited spreading function. Heavy blades are less effective for blunt-spread dissection than a Metzenbaum.
• Model variability. Length and handling differ; inspect the actual instrument and confirm that access, control and visibility are adequate.

Technique

1. Match instrument to exposed tissue. Use a suitable fine scissor for delicate planes and a model appropriate to firmer tissue or material when needed.
2. Control pedicles before division. When a clamped pedicle is divided, maintain adequate tissue for secure ligation on the retained side and protect the ureter and adjacent structures; do not infer control from scissor shape.
3. Use the curve under direct vision. Orient and advance the blades only along the intended, clearly exposed cut.
4. Inspect the edge and action. Aspen's reusable-instrument instructions call for a continuous nick-free cutting edge and smooth moving parts; remove worn or damaged devices from service and follow the applicable IFU and local processing procedure.^[8]
5. Separate tasks when useful. A dedicated material-cutting pair may preserve a tissue scissor's edge, but this is a local allocation choice rather than a universal Jorgensen prohibition.
6. Complement the tray with appropriate Metzenbaum and Mayo variants as needed; no fixed trio is required.

Scissor Hierarchy in Hysterectomy / Pelvic Surgery

1. Curved Mayo. Fascia opening (rectus sheath), suture cutting, general moderate-density tissue.
2. Metzenbaum. Fine dissection (vesicouterine plane, ureter dissection, peritoneal opening, adhesion separation from delicate structures).
3. Jorgensen. An optional acutely curved instrument for selected exposed pelvic tissue when its model-specific reach and handling are useful.

Current Status

Current manufacturers still list Jorgenson-pattern scissors, including an Aspen gynecology model and Teleflex acutely curved variants.^[5][6][7] Hysterectomy route (abdominal, vaginal, laparoscopic or robotic) determines whether long open-field scissors are used.^[4]

For broader gynecologic instrument and scissor history, see the general reviews.^[1][2]

See also: Mayo Scissors, Metzenbaum Scissors, Potts Scissors, Heaney Clamp, Masterson Pedicle Clamp.

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References

1. Singh S, Maxwell D. "Tools of the trade." Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2006;20(1):41–59. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2005.09.008

2. El-Sedfy A, Chamberlain RS. "Surgeons and their tools: a history of surgical instruments and their innovators — part I: place the scissors on the Mayo stand." Am Surg. 2014;80(11):1089–92.

3. Kieback DG, Burke TW. "Modified instruments for mobilization of the ureters and parametrial transsection during radical hysterectomy." Ann Surg Oncol. 1995;2(5):435–9. doi:10.1007/BF02306377

4. Pickett CM, Seeratan DD, Mol BWJ, et al. "Surgical approach to hysterectomy for benign gynaecological disease." Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023;8:CD003677. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003677.pub6

5. Teleflex/Pilling. Jorgenson Scissors 342273. Current catalog description: acutely curved, 22 cm.

6. Teleflex/Pilling. Jorgenson Scissors 175052. Current catalog description: acutely curved, 35.5 cm.

7. Aspen Surgical. Jorgenson Dissecting Scissors 54-4151. Current product specifications: reusable, gynecology specialty.

8. Aspen Surgical. Recommended care, cleaning and sterilization instructions for reusable instruments and accessories. IFU-LCN-204233 Rev 10, 30 Apr 2026, pp 2–5 (English); device-specific instructions override the general instructions.