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Plaster scissors and cast instruments: a buyer's guide
Plaster rooms, fracture clinics and emergency departments use a small family of instruments to cut bandages, remove plaster casts and open casts safely. Pattern names such as Esmarch, Lister or Stille describe specific shapes, so knowing them makes ordering much easier.
Plaster and bandage scissors
| Pattern | Key features | Catalogue examples |
|---|---|---|
| Esmarch plaster scissors | Angled blades with a probe end, made for cutting plaster and dressings. | ST6-134-20, 20 cm |
| Lister bandage scissors | Angled, with a flat probe tip that slides under bandages without injuring skin. | ST6-130-11 (11.5 cm), ST6-130-18 (18 cm) |
| Bergmann plaster scissors | Heavier angled scissors with a probe end for plaster. | ST6-128-23, 23 cm |
| Knowles plaster scissors | Probe end; straight or angled versions. | ST6-114-14, ST6-116-14 (14 cm) |
| Lange bandage scissors | Blunt/blunt tips for bandages. | ST6-112-18, 18 cm |
| Busch plaster scissors | Probe end pattern. | ST6-120-20, 20 cm |
Other patterns include Waldmann (ST6-122-18, serrated jaw), Burnham, Marbach (ST6-158-15, serrated blade) and Seutin (ST6-160-20, ST6-162-23) plaster scissors.
Plaster shears and knives
For thicker casts, Stille plaster shears (ST6-172-23 to ST6-172-38, 23 to 38 cm) give much more cutting power through long handles and a strong joint; a version for one-handed use (ST6-174-24) is also available. The Reiner plaster knife (ST6-168-18) is used for trimming plaster.
Plaster saws and cast spreaders
- Engel plaster saw (ST6-180-15, 15.5 cm): a hand saw for cutting through casts.
- Hening plaster cast spreader (ST6-182-28, 28 cm), Beeson plaster spreader (ST6-184-30, 30 cm), Wolff spreader (ST6-190-18 / ST6-190-24) and the Model USA cast spreader (ST6-186-23, 3 prong): used to open a cast after it has been cut.
Universal paramedic shears
Universal or paramedic shears are the everyday tool for cutting clothing, dressings and bandages in emergency care. They come in several handle colours and lengths (for example 14, 16 and 18 cm), which makes them popular for colour-coded ranges and first-aid kits.
What to specify when ordering
- Pattern name and catalogue reference.
- Length in cm.
- Straight or angled, probe end, serrated or plain blade.
- For paramedic shears: handle colour.
- Quantity, marking and packaging requirements.
See our full range of plaster saws, shears and spreaders.