A rongeur is a strongly constructed instrument with a sharp-edged, scoop-shaped tip, used for gouging out bone. Rongeur is a French word that means rodent or gnawer A rongeur can be used to open a window in bone, often in the skull. It is used in neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery to expose areas for operation.A rongeur is also used in oral maxillofacial surgery. It is also used in hand surgery to cut traumatic amputated bone to allow skin to be closed over the defect