Liston-type amputation knife, Surrey, England, 1980
Robert Liston (1797-1847), a Scottish surgeon, invented this type of amputation knife. Liston knives have two different edges on the blade, which improves efficiency during operations – Liston was renowned for his speed and precision. Made by Downs Surgical Ltd., from stainless steel, the knife could easily be sterilised, without rusting and used in aseptic surgery.
Object number:
1981-785
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: amputation knife
A broad-bladed knife used primarily for cutting large muscles during major amputations of limbs
Glossary: amputation
Removal of part of, or a whole limb by surgery. Used to control pain or the spread of disease in the affected limb.
Glossary: aseptic
Free from bacterial contamination; surgically sterile or sterilized.