The primary use of a Mayo-Hegar needle holder is for what purpose?

The primary use of a Mayo-Hegar needle holder is specifically designed for holding needles during suturing. This instrument features a locking mechanism that allows the surgical technologist or surgeon to securely grasp the needle while stitching tissues together. The design of the Mayo-Hegar needle holder includes a robust jaw structure, which provides a firm grip, ensuring precision and control when suturing. This makes it an essential tool in various surgical procedures where sutures are necessary to close incisions or wounds effectively.

While the other options describe functions for different surgical instruments, they do not pertain to the Mayo-Hegar needle holder. For instance, clamping blood vessels is typically the role of hemostatic forceps, manipulating tissues is often done using forceps or retractors, and cutting sutures generally involves scissors designed specifically for that purpose.