Kilner's Needle Holder

Abstract

Anyone who has assisted, single-handedly, at a long plastic surgery operation, which will inevitably involve dozens of skin sutures, will have blessed the name of Thomas Pomfret Kilner (1890–1964) and his needle holder. This ingenious instrument combines the dual functions of a stitch-cutting scissors with a needle holder, so that the surgeon can put in a stitch, tie it and cut it without having, on each occasion, to put down the needle holder and pick up a pair of scissors, or to get his assistant to snip it for him.