A CANULATED NEEDLE 
For Introducing Wire Sutures in Surgical Operations. 
BY GEORGE McCLELLAX, M. I)., 
Surgeon to the Philadelphia Hospital, Lecturer on Surgery, etc. 
Extract from the “ London Medical Record.” 
“The annoyance caused by the wire suture catching in the tissues, on 
account of the doubling and twisting necessary to retain it in the eye of the 
ordinary needle, is often very great, and the excessive oozing caused by the 
procedure most injurious. 
In order to overcome'this difficulty, Dr. George McClellan of Philadelphia, 
had a little instrument constructed for him by Mr. Snowden, surgical cutler, 
No. 7 South 11th Street, which he has been constantly employing for several 
months in all operations where the approximation of the edges of the wounds 
required the introduction of wire sutures. 
It consists of a long slender canulated needle, having a slit at the point, 
and another at the shoulder, where it joins the handle. 
a and b indicate the two slits or openings in the needle through which the 
wire is passed. In introducing the canulated needle, the wire is of course 
either retracted or withdrawn; but, as soon as the point A issues at the desired 
plate, the wire can lie pushed forward, seized, and the needle withdrawn. 
Although the idea of such a needle was entirely new to Dr. McClellan 
when he first had it constructed, he has since learned that it was suggested anil 
used by several surgeons many years ago. Dr. W. L. Atlee used a needle on 
this principle in his operations for ovariotomy, and Dr. Paul B. Goddard had 
needles of various sizes and forms for the purpose of passing wire sutures; but 
neither of these surgeons appears to have encouraged their general use. 
The ordinary forms of needle, including the ‘screw-hole,’ and the ‘gutter- 
eyed,’ as well as the more recent suggestion of Dr. Morgan of Baltimore, all 
require considerable time in their manipulation, and in many instances must 
be grasped by a holder, that they may be properly introduced. In all of them 
the wire is apt to become caught in the tissues, or dislodged from the eve or 
stylet, unless great care he taken to prevent it. The advantages of a canulated 
needle, such as is shown in the accompanying figure, will be apparent at a 
glance. The simple direct puncture of the needle will be found to occasion 
very little oozing; and, as the handle offers firm support in the hand of the 
operator, great accuracy in the introduction of the sutures and complete exact- 
ness in the apposition of the parts are attained, the needle being made to 
transfix both margins of the wound at the same time, and the wire, when passed 
through, taking its place. 
The tearing of the knotted wire about the eye of a needle often causes a 
laceration instead of a puncture; and in some regions, as in the perinteum or 
vagina, this minute rent is very apt to tear further when the sutures are tight- 
ened. The wire should always l»e carefully straightened by running it over 
the edge of the thumb-nail, to avoid any kinks which might interfere with its 
passage through the canulated needle. With this precaution, it may then be 
introduced with much greater rapidity and precision than in any other way. 
Dr. McClellan hits also found that this little instrument is very useful in 
taking the place of a tenaculum or artery-forceps, either of which often loosens 
or tears away the ligature when it is l>eing removed. He simply passes the 
needle through a bleeding point, then forwards the wire and withdraws the 
needle, leaving the wire so that it can be doubled into a loop, traction upon 
which will enable an assistant to throw a ligature completely round the vessel 
or bleyding {mint, as readily as a tenaculum; with this advantage, that as soon 
as the vessel is secured the wire may lie cut, thereby avoiding the danger of 
displacing the ligature. This form of needle may also be used for the purpose 
of exploring. Upon introducing the point into a pah, where blood, serum, or 
pus is suspected to have accumulated, the fluid, if any exist, will pass through 
the needle and appear at the slit near the shoulder. 
Objection mav be raised to this form of needle on the score of the possi- 
bility of its conveying septic matter, but the same fault may be found with the 
hypodermic syringe, and it can readily be remedied by always retaining a piece 
of wire within the canulated needle when out of use, and never forgetting to 
dip it in earlxdized oil, both before and after it has Iteen employed. The needle 
can readily 1* made straight or curved, as may be desired, but the form shown 
in the accompanying figure, which is designed for the pocket-case, will, the 
inventor thinks, answer most purposes.’’ 
MANUFACTURED AND FOR SALE BY 
WILLIAM SHOWDEK, 
MANUFACTURER AND IMPORTER OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, 
Uo. V So\xti5. HleTreoatli. Street, lE’ih.Ila.cLelplria.. 
Price of Needle, $*2.00. Sent per mail on receipt of price.