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Grooved Director
Grooved Director
Grooved Director

Grooved Director

Manufacturer / Maker (1824/5 - 1878)
Used by (1843 - 1904)
Date1863-65
Mediumsteel
Dimensions5 3/8 × 7/8 in. (13.7 × 2.2 cm)
ClassificationsTools, Implements & Weights
Credit LineAlbuquerque Museum, gift of the descendants of John (Jackie) Taylor: Gwyn Fair Ellis, Willett Taylor Fair, James Taylor Rock, and Kenneth Willett Rock
Object numberPC2002.26.13
DescriptionA grooved surgical director once used for a variety of purposes, but has since been rendered mostly obsolete. One end, called the "spoon", is a butterfly-shaped plate with a groove going down the middle towards a circular opening. The shaft extending from the spoon is rounded toward the end, and is called a "shank." This particular object has a number of scratches and indentations down the shank.

Grooved directors were used for a variety of purposes, mostly probing, directing of suture, and guiding cutting instruments. Before imaging was widespread, directors were used as fulcrums for probes for exploring wounds and openings. If a surgeon was operating close to something that shouldn't be cut (nerve, artery, etc.), the spoon acted as a shield to prevent accidental damage.
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