Surgical scalpel is a small, extremely sharp bladed tool, which is used for a variety of purposes such as surgery and anatomical dissection. Scalpels may be of two types, single-use or disposable scalpel and reusable scalpel. Reusable scalpels have fixed blades that can be sharpened or may have removable single-use blades that are attached permanently. Disposable scalpels generally have a handle made of plastic with an extensible blade and only once, after which the entire instrument becomes redundant. Scalpel blades are generally packed in sterile pouches.

Scalpel blades are typically made of tempered and hardened steel, high carbon steel, or stainless steel. Ceramic, diamond, titanium, and obsidian knives are common. For instance, when a surgeon performs a surgery under MRI guidance, steel blades are unsuitable, as the blades may get attracted to the magnets and cause image artifacts. Traditionally, the material of choice for surgical scalpels used to be silver, because of its antimicrobial properties. Scalpel blades are offered by few manufacturers with a zirconium nitride-coated edge in order to improve sharpness and prolonged edge retention. Other vendors’ blades are generally polymer-coated which enhances lubricity during a cut. Some of the alternatives to scalpels in surgical applications are electrocautery and lasers, among others.

Some of the market trends that are likely to fuel the growth of the surgical scalpel market are rising incidence of cardiovascular as well as neurological diseases. Moreover, rising demand for minimally invasive procedures coupled with recent technological developments in the field of surgical scalpel are some of the other factors that will drive the surgical scalpel market in the near future.

Another driver that the increasing demand for surgical tools owing to increasing number of surgical procedures along with rising occurrence of various chronic diseases, as well as increasing geriatric population. Furthermore, increasing healthcare expenditure, rising demand for plastic and reconstructive surgery and growing demand for innovative surgical procedures are expected to propel the surgical scalpel market growth during the forecast period. Lack of proper reimbursement for surgical equipment, especially in the developing economies may affect the market negatively.
Surgical scalpel market taxonomy
On the basis of number of type,
Blades
Number 6 to number 12
Number 13 to number 18
Number 19 to number 24
Number 25 to number 34
More than number 34
Handle
On the basis of end-user,
Hospitals
Clinics
Surgical Centers
Others

High growth in the number of surgeries and rise in geriatric population will drive the overall surgical scalpel market

The increasing volume of surgical procedures across the globe is likely to drive the overall growth of the surgical scalpel market during the forecast period. Surgeries are conducted to manage various diseases such as gastrointestinal diseases, cardiovascular diseases, spinal abnormalities, urological disorders, orthopedic deformities, and brain tumors. The significant growth in the number of surgeries, especially in the European countries will help in the growth of the general halogen surgical ceiling lights market in this region. For example, the amount of laparoscopic colostomy surgeries tripled in Spain and doubled in Slovenia between 2008 and 2014. Different types of surgeries performed in various ASCs or ambulatory surgical centers include hernia procedure, cervix and uterus removal, transurethral excision, lens and cataract, and hysterectomy. The increase in geriatric population as well as the growth in the number of surgeries will fuel the growth of the surgical scalpel market in the near future.

By geography, North America held the maximum share of the market in 2016 and is likely to continue its dominance during the forecast period. The rising demand for surgery in labor patients is anticipated to propel the market growth as well. According to a report by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 3,984,502 child births, including caesarean and vaginal took place in 2016 in the U.S. alone.
Some of the companies operating in the surgical scalpel market in the current scenario are Hill-Rom, KAI Group, Swann-Morton, Shanghai Surgical, Feather, Mani, Geister, Surgical Specialties, BD, Shinva, SteriLance, Ailee, Hu-Friedy, and Huaiyin Medical.

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