Episiotomy Scissors (Braun-Stadler) — OB/GYN Instrument Guide

Episiotomy scissors are one of the most used instruments in labor and delivery, yet they often receive the least attention in procurement. Getting the design and size right matters — a scissors that is too short does not provide adequate access to the perineum in the lithotomy position, and a scissors with poor jaw alignment tears tissue rather than cutting it cleanly, which directly affects wound healing.

Types of Episiotomy Scissors

Two designs dominate clinical practice:

Braun-Stadler Episiotomy Scissors

The Braun-Stadler scissors is the most widely used episiotomy scissors pattern globally. Its defining feature is its angled design — the blade plane is offset from the handle plane by approximately 30 degrees, which allows the surgeon’s hand to clear the perineal area during the cut. The angled geometry also allows the blades to be positioned precisely against the perineal body at the correct mediolateral angle (typically 45 to 60 degrees from the midline) without obstructing the view of the cutting plane.

• Standard length: 17 cm — fits all standard lithotomy positions
• Extended length: 19 cm — preferred in patients with more lateral perineal anatomy or when the standard position limits hand clearance

Straight-Bladed Episiotomy Scissors

Used for midline episiotomies in facilities that practice median rather than mediolateral episiotomy. Straight-bladed design with blunt tips to prevent inadvertent rectal penetration. Less commonly ordered than the Braun-Stadler but still in regular use in some labor ward protocols.

Blade Design — What Determines Cut Quality

An episiotomy is a timed single cut made under clinical pressure during delivery. Three blade features determine whether the cut is clean:

• Blade sharpness — the cutting edge must be maintained at a sharpness that produces a clean incision on the first pass; a dull scissors creates a torn wound edge rather than a sharp incision, and torn edges are more difficult to close, heal more slowly, and carry higher infection risk
• Jaw alignment — misaligned jaws leave a small bridge of tissue uncut at the tip of each pass; this bridge must be torn rather than cut, which extends the incision unevenly
• Tip configuration — one blunt and one sharp tip (semisharp) is the standard; the blunt tip is positioned against the fetal presenting part during the cut to protect the fetus from inadvertent puncture

Fizza Surgical Braun-Stadler Scissors — Manufacturing Specification

Blades are ground from 316L stainless steel and hollow-ground to a bevel angle that maintains the cutting edge through 200-plus sterilization cycles. Jaw alignment is checked at final inspection with a tissue paper test — jaws that leave uncut paper at the tip are rejected. The ring handles are sized for gloved hands (28 to 30 mm internal diameter), with finger grooves for positive positioning.

All instruments are manufactured under ISO 13485:2016 with CE marking.

Ordering for Labor Ward Volumes

Labor wards that perform 10 to 30 episiotomies per day go through episiotomy scissors rapidly. We offer volume pricing for orders of 50 instruments or more and can configure sets that include one Braun-Stadler and one straight episiotomy scissors per instrument tray for wards that use both approaches. Contact Fizza Surgical for pricing or to request a catalog of our complete obstetric instrument range.