A Gigli saw is a flexible wire saw

Wire saw

A wire saw is a machine using a metal wire or cable for cutting. There are two types of wire saw machines: continuous and oscillating . Sometimes the wire itself is referred to as a "blade"....

 used by surgeon

Surgeon

In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...

s for bone cutting

Bone cutter

-Unpowered:Unpowered bone cutting implements include varieties of hacksaw and sabre saw. In many applications, the saw is used in specialised jigs to provide accurate, measurable cuts, e.g. in knee surgery...

. A gigli saw

Saw

A saw is a tool that uses a hard blade or wire with an abrasive edge to cut through softer materials. The cutting edge of a saw is either a serrated blade or an abrasive...

 is used mainly for amputation

Amputation

Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma, prolonged constriction, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on individuals as a preventative surgery for...

 surgeries, where the bones have to be smoothly cut at the level of amputation.

Gigli saws were sometimes hidden in clothing items of British secret agents during the Second World War

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

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The saw was invented by Italian obstetrician Leonardo Gigli

Leonardo Gigli

Leonardo Gigli was an Italian surgeon and obstetrician remembered for describing Gigli's operation, and for designing the Gigli saw to simplify its performance.- Biography :...

 to simplify the performance of a lateral pubiotomy

Pubic symphysis

The pubic symphysis or symphysis pubis is the midline cartilaginous joint uniting the superior rami of the left and right pubic bones. It is located anterior to the urinary bladder and superior to the external genitalia; for females it is above the vulva and for males it is above the penis...

 in obstructed labour

Dystocia

Dystocia is an abnormal or difficult childbirth or labour. Approximately one fifth of human labours have dystocia.Dystocia may arise due to incoordinate uterine activity, abnormal fetal lie or presentation, absolute or relative cephalopelvic disproportion, or a massive fetal tumor such as a...

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