Needle Holder - OB/Gyne

Needle holder, also called a needle driver, grips and guides suturing needles during wound and incision closure—a step in nearly every gynecological and obstetric procedure, from episiotomy repair to cesarean section closure. The right surgical needle holder affects both the surgeon's control during suturing and how efficiently a closure can be completed, which is why different needle holder patterns exist for different procedure types and hand preferences.
OB/GYN needle holder patterns

Mayo-Hegar needle holders—the standard general-purpose needle holder found in most surgical trays. Serrated jaws provide a secure, non-slip grip across most common suture sizes, making this the default needle driver for routine closures.

Olsen-Hegar needle holders combine a needle holder and suture scissor in a single instrument, letting the surgeon cut suture without switching tools mid-closure. These features can meaningfully speed up repetitive suturing during longer procedures.

Crile-Wood needle holders have narrower, more tapered tips than the Mayo-Hegar pattern, making them better for fine suture work in tighter anatomical spaces where a bulkier needle holder would be hard to maneuver.

Gillies needle holders — combine a needle holder, scissor, and tissue dissector in one tool. Their versatility has made this pattern a longstanding favorite in obstetric settings, where minimizing instrument changes is important.

Mathieu and Bozemann-Wertheim needle holders — use a spring-loaded, squeeze-to-open mechanism rather than a ratcheted lock. Many surgeons prefer this design for extended procedures, since it reduces hand fatigue compared to repeatedly engaging and disengaging a ratchet.

Jaw inserts and sterilization

Jaw inserts across our surgical needle holders range vary between smooth tungsten carbide—which holds an edge longer and grips more securely without damaging suture material—and standard serrated stainless steel, suited to lower-volume use. Tungsten carbide inserts are marked with gold-colored handles for quick identification in a tray.

All needle holder instruments in this category are supplied non-sterile and rated for standard steam autoclave sterilization. As with any fine surgical instrument, we recommend periodic inspection of jaw alignment and ratchet mechanism since misalignment is the most common cause of reduced grip performance over a needle holder's lifespan.

Looking for a needle holder length or jaw pattern not listed here? Gulmaher Surgico manufactures a broader range than shown in our standard catalog—contact us for custom specifications or bulk pricing.