Mayo Scissors
Also known as: Suture scissors (straight pattern)
Heavy-bladed surgical scissors for cutting dense tissue such as fascia, and for cutting sutures, meshes, drains and dressings.
Available reusable and single-use
About the Mayo Scissors
Mayo scissors are sturdy scissors with wide blades, thick rounded spines and semi-blunt tips. Wikipedia says they are named after the Mayo Clinic, where the design was developed, and are among the most commonly used scissors in surgery. They are used on dense connective tissue such as fascia, and on sutures, meshes, drains and dressings.
Compared with Metzenbaum scissors they are bulkier, with the pivot set further back. The tips are rounded on the outside with a right-angled corner on the cutting side, a feature Wikipedia says distinguishes them from most other surgical scissors.
The straight and curved forms have different jobs. Straight blades cut tissue near the wound surface and are used so often for sutures that they are also called suture scissors. Curved blades reach deeper and are used on thicker tissue. Sklar notes the two may be used interchangeably depending on the procedure and the surgeon. Lengths, edge types and handedness vary by maker.
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
- Cutting dense connective tissue such as fascia
- Cutting sutures (straight pattern)
- Cutting meshes, drains and dressings
- Dissection of thick or deep tissue (curved pattern)
- Veterinary and podiatric surgery
Variations, sizes & configurations
Shapes
| Straight | Cutting tissue near the wound surface and sutures |
|---|---|
| Curved | Deeper reach into the wound and thicker tissue |
Jaw, tip & blade configurations
- Semi-blunt tips with a rounded outer angle
Lengths
- Typically 150 mm (6 in) to 170 mm (6¾ in)
- Standard and extra-long versions are available
Specifications vary by manufacturer. Confirm exact dimensions and patterns in the manufacturer’s catalogue.
Material & finish
Stainless steel versions are much more common and cheaper than titanium ones.
Catalogue specifications (Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments)
- Mayo Supercut Scissors, 15cm, 6in., Curved
- Mayo SuperCut Scissors 28cm, Curved
- Mayo SuperCut Ceramic Coated Scissors 23cm, Curved
- Mayo, SuperCut Scissors, Curved, 23cm
- Mayo SuperCut Ceramic Coated Scissors 23cm, Straight
- Mayo SuperCut Scissors, Straight, 23cm
- Mayo SuperCut Ceramic Coated Scissors 17cm, Curved
- Mayo SuperCut Scissors, Curved, 17cm
As published in the brand’s online catalogue. View official product ↗
Catalogue listings from manufacturers
| Brand | Catalogue item | Model no. | Size / length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hu-Friedy | 3 Curved/Blunt Mayo Scissors | S3 | Official site ↗ | |
| Hu-Friedy | 4 Straight/Blunt Mayo Scissors | S4 | Official site ↗ | |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Bostwick Mayo Scissors | ASSI.MTK632622 | 22.5cm · serrated Curved blade | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Cooley Cardiovascular Scissors | ASIM217526 | 18cm | Official site ↗ |
| Rigor Instruments | Mayo Dissecting Scissor #1 (RI-S-1154) | RI-S-1154 | #1 | Official site ↗ |
| Rigor Instruments | Mayo Dissecting Scissor #2 (RI-S-1159) | RI-S-1159 | #2 | Official site ↗ |
| Rigor Instruments | Mayo Dissecting Scissor #3 (RI-S-1164) | RI-S-1164 | #3 | Official site ↗ |
| Lenox Surgical Instruments | MAYO Dissecting Scissors Chamfered Blades 190mm | LS03-189 | 190mm | Official site ↗ |
| Hexamed | Mayo Harrington Operating Scissors cvd 22.5cm | BA.0059.22 | 22.5cm | Official site ↗ |
| Hexamed | Mayo Harrington Operating Scissors cvd 30cm | BA.0059.30 | 30cm | Official site ↗ |
| Hexamed | Mayo Harrington Operating Scissors str 22.5cm | BA.0058.22 | 22.5cm | Official site ↗ |
| Hexamed | Mayo Harrington Operating Scissors str 30cm | BA.0058.30 | 30cm | Official site ↗ |
| Hexamed | Mayo Noble Scissors cvd 17cm | 17cm | Official site ↗ | |
| Hexamed | Mayo Noble Scissors str 17cm | 17cm | Official site ↗ | |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Mayo Operating Scissors | ASSI.15326 | 14.5cm | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Mayo Operating Scissors | ASSI.15426 | 14.5cm | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Mayo Operating Scissors | ASSI.15526 | 17cm | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Mayo Operating Scissors | ASSI.15726 | 20cm | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Mayo Operating Scissors | ASSI.15826 | 17cm | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Mayo Operating Scissors | ASSI.15926 | 20cm | Official site ↗ |
| Lenox Surgical Instruments | Mayo Scissor Str 5 1-2” | LS04-202 | 1-2” | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Mayo Scissors | ASSI.MTK827814 | 14cm | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Mayo Scissors | ASSI.MTK827816 | 16cm | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Mayo Scissors | ASSI.MTK827823 | 23cm | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Mayo Scissors | ASSI.MTK827914 | 14cm | Official site ↗ |
72 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
- Metzenbaum vs Mayo Scissors: Differences and UsesHow Metzenbaum and Mayo scissors differ in design and use, straight vs curved Mayo, how to tell them…
- 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…
Questions about the Mayo Scissors
What are Mayo Scissors used for?
Heavy-bladed surgical scissors for cutting dense tissue such as fascia, and for cutting sutures, meshes, drains and dressings.
What other names is the Mayo Scissors known by?
The Mayo Scissors is also known as Suture scissors (straight pattern).
What lengths and sizes is the Mayo Scissors listed in?
Lengths recorded from the sources for this guide: Typically 150 mm (6 in) to 170 mm (6¾ in) and Standard and extra-long versions are available. Ranges differ between manufacturers, so confirm the exact size in the catalogue you order from.
Which configurations of the Mayo Scissors are documented?
This guide records these variations, shapes: Straight and Curved; jaw, tip or blade: Semi-blunt tips with a rounded outer angle. See variations, sizes & configurations for the full list.
Where can I find catalogue listings for the Mayo Scissors?
72 items matching this pattern are listed from manufacturers’ own online catalogues: Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (34), Hexamed (20), Lenox Surgical Instruments (10), Rigor Instruments (4) and Bio Medical Instruments (2). The catalogue table gives each model number and size as published, with a link to the official product page.
Which companies offer the Mayo Scissors?
Companies whose own catalogues list the Mayo Scissors include Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments. Check the exact pattern and size with the company.
Which instruments are related to the Mayo Scissors?
Other scissors in this directory include Metzenbaum Scissors, Iris Scissors and Needle Holder. See all scissors.
What should I check when sourcing surgical scissors?
- Pattern and size: compare the blade shape, the tip style (sharp or blunt) and the length with the supplier’s catalogue drawing or a sample. For the Mayo Scissors this page records lengths of Typically 150 mm (6 in) to 170 mm (6¾ in) and Standard and extra-long versions are available, Straight and Curved shapes and Semi-blunt tips with a rounded outer angle tips.
- Material: this guide records stainless steel and titanium; 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), and whether the item offered is reusable or single-use.
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayo_scissors
- accuratesurgical.com/scissors-staysharp-supercut-scissors/mayo-supercut-scissors-8/
- sklarcorp.com/p/sklar-mayo-dissecting-scissors-6-3-4-straight/15-1567
- us.myteleflex.com/en/USD/All-Categories/Surgical-Instruments/General/Mayo-Scissors/p/su-MayoScissors
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
Metzenbaum Scissors
Slender, usually curved scissors with blunt tips, used for delicate cutting and blunt dissection of soft tissue; not for sutures.
Iris Scissors
Small scissors with short blades and fine, sharp tips, first developed for eye surgery and now used for many delicate cutting tasks.
Needle Holder
Forceps-like instrument with short, textured jaws and usually a locking ratchet, used to hold and drive a suture needle.