What am I looking at?
Visual recognition
Graduated set of tapered tract dilators in sequentially increasing French sizes, usually arranged together so the progressive step-up in diameter is immediately apparent.
03-05
Serial tract dilators
Graduated tract dilators
Three-panel learning framework
Recognition, context, and distinction
What does it do, and where will I see it?
Use & procedural context
Sequentially enlarges a soft-tissue tract over a guidewire before placement of a larger catheter, drain, or sheath. Typical procedural contexts include drainage, tunneled dialysis catheter placement, nephrostomy, and large-bore venous access.
What most clearly distinguishes it from similar devices?
Key distinctions
Serial dilators are temporary tract-enlargement tools used sequentially over a guidewire; unlike a sheath or drain, they are removed after the desired tract diameter is established.