Mathieu Needle Holder
Plier-style needle holder with a single spring and a ratchet at the base of the handles, used where refined suturing is needed.
Reusable hand instrument
About the Mathieu Needle Holder
The Mathieu needle holder has a plier-like grip rather than finger rings. Wikipedia's needle holder article pictures it as an example of a specialty needle holder.
Sklar describes it as a single-spring instrument. The handles curve inward at the bottom and carry a ratchet at their base, which the user squeezes to lock the jaws and squeezes again to release them. The spring reopens the jaws, so the instrument can be worked with one hand in the palm.
Sklar recommends it when more refined suturing is needed. Jaws are usually straight and cross-serrated. Makers offer standard and delicate jaw weights, and many add tungsten carbide inserts. Lengths and handle shapes differ between manufacturers.
Product reference: Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments — official product page. The listed company is shown as a source; check the catalogue for its role as manufacturer or supplier.
Common uses
- Refined suturing
- Holding and driving suture needles
Variations, sizes & configurations
Lengths
- 14cm
- 17cm
- 20cm
- 24cm
Specifications vary by manufacturer. Confirm exact dimensions and patterns in the manufacturer’s catalogue.
Material & finish
Catalogue specifications (Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments)
- Mathieu Needle Holder, Tungsten Carbide Jaw, 24cm
- Mathieu Needle Holder, Tungsten Carbide Jaw, 20cm
- Mathieu Needle Holder, Tungsten Carbide Jaw, 17cm
- Mathieu Needle Holder, Tungsten Carbide Jaw, 14cm
As published in the brand’s online catalogue. View official product ↗
Catalogue listings from manufacturers
| Brand | Catalogue item | Model no. | Size / length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigor Instruments | Mathieu Needle Holder (RI-S-4037) | RI-S-4037 | Official site ↗ | |
| Bio Medical Instruments | Mathieu Needle Holder 12cm | BMI-1558 | 12cm | Official site ↗ |
| Lenox Surgical Instruments | Mathieu Needle Holder 140mm | LS05-135 | 140mm | Official site ↗ |
| Bio Medical Instruments | Mathieu Needle Holder 14cm | BMI-1556 | 14cm | Official site ↗ |
| Lenox Surgical Instruments | Mathieu Needle Holder Pliers 14CM TC | LDTC15-21 | 14CM | Official site ↗ |
| Hu-Friedy | Mathieu Needle Holder, 14 cm (5.5″) | NHM | 14 cm, 5.5" | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Mathieu Needle Holders | ASSI.MTK2060014 | 14cm · Tungsten Carbide Jaw | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Mathieu Needle Holders | ASSI.MTK2060017 | 17cm · Tungsten Carbide Jaw | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Mathieu Needle Holders | ASSI.MTK2060020 | 20cm · Tungsten Carbide Jaw | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Mathieu Needle Holders | ASSI.MTK2060024 | 24cm · Tungsten Carbide Jaw | Official site ↗ |
| Sklar Surgical Instruments | Merit™ Mathieu Needle Holder – 5-1/2, Serrated | 97-883 | 5-1/2" / 140 mm · straight, cross-serrated | Official site ↗ |
| Sklar Surgical Instruments | Sklar® Eiselsberg-Mathieu Needle Holder – | 20-2114 | 7" / 178 mm · curved, serrated | Official site ↗ |
12 items listed in manufacturers’ own online catalogues, with sizes and model numbers as published. Check the exact item on the manufacturer’s page before ordering.
Companies offering this instrument
Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments
Westbury, United States
New York supplier of surgical instruments for many specialties, with offices on both US coasts.
Shown only where the company’s own catalogue or website lists this instrument.
Further reading
- How to Read a Surgical Instrument CataloguePatterns, lengths, tips, locks, materials and finishes: the catalogue terms buyers need to compare instrument offers like for…
- Stainless Steel Grades and Finishes for Surgical InstrumentsMartensitic vs austenitic steel, ISO 7153-1 and ASTM F899, tungsten carbide inserts, titanium, and satin vs mirror finishes…
- How Surgical Instruments Are Made: From Forging to PassivationA step-by-step look at how reusable surgical instruments are made: steel choice, forging, machining, heat treatment, grinding, polishing…
Questions about the Mathieu Needle Holder
What is a Mathieu Needle Holder used for?
Plier-style needle holder with a single spring and a ratchet at the base of the handles, used where refined suturing is needed.
What lengths and sizes is the Mathieu Needle Holder listed in?
Lengths recorded from the sources for this guide: 14 cm, 17 cm, 20 cm and 24 cm. Ranges differ between manufacturers, so confirm the exact size in the catalogue you order from.
Where can I find catalogue listings for the Mathieu Needle Holder?
12 items matching this pattern are listed from manufacturers’ own online catalogues: Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (4), Bio Medical Instruments (2), Lenox Surgical Instruments (2), Sklar Surgical Instruments (2) and Rigor Instruments (1). The catalogue table gives each model number and size as published, with a link to the official product page.
Which companies offer the Mathieu Needle Holder?
Companies whose own catalogues list the Mathieu Needle Holder include Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments. Check the exact pattern and size with the company.
Which instruments are related to the Mathieu Needle Holder?
Other needle holders in this directory include Arruga Needle Holder, Barraquer Needle Holder, Castroviejo Needle Holder and Crile-Wood Needle Holder. See all needle holders.
What should I check when sourcing needle holders?
- Pattern and size: compare the jaw pattern, any jaw inserts and the ratchet or lock, together with the length with the supplier’s catalogue drawing or a sample. For the Mathieu Needle Holder this page records lengths of 14 cm, 17 cm, 20 cm and 24 cm.
- Material: this guide records stainless steel and tungsten carbide inserts; confirm the exact steel grade or alloy in the supplier’s documentation, such as the material specification or certificate.
- Finish and any coating, as stated by the supplier.
- Regulatory marking or registration required in your target market (see medical device certifications).
- Reprocessing: the cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation instructions in the manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU).
Sources
- accuratesurgical.com/mozart-gold-needle-holders/mathieu-needle-holders-4/
- accuratesurgical.com/mozart-gold-needle-holders/mathieu-needle-holders-3/
- accuratesurgical.com/mozart-gold-needle-holders/mathieu-needle-holders-2/
- sklarcorp.com/p/sklar-mathieu-needle-holder-6-1-4-serrated/20-3070
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needle_holder
Last checked 29 Oct 2026. Information is general reference, not clinical guidance.
Suggest a correction if any detail on this page is wrong.
Related instruments
Arruga Needle Holder
Plier-handled spring needle holder with a ratchet lock at the base of the handles, used mainly in eye and eyelid surgery.
Barraquer Needle Holder
Fine spring-handled needle holder with a rounded handle, used for very fine needles in ophthalmic and other microsurgery.
Castroviejo Needle Holder
Spring-handled needle holder held with a tweezer-like grip, used for fine suturing in eye surgery, microsurgery and dental surgery.
Crile-Wood Needle Holder
Narrow-jawed, ratcheted needle holder with a tapered blunt tip, for small to medium needles in both continuous and interrupted closures.