Minor Surgery Overview

• Definition of Minor Surgery:

  • Small procedures performed in an office setting.

  • Requires sterile fields and anesthesia.

  • Patients usually do not need to stay overnight in a hospital.

• Duration of Procedures:

  • Generally lasts between 30 minutes to 1 hour.

  • Patients can usually go home the same day.

Roles of Medical Assistants (MAs) in Minor Surgery

Dual Roles: Administrative and Clinical

Administrative Tasks

• Dealing with insurance forms.

• Managing informed consent forms.

• Conducting patient interviews and education.

• Reinforcing provider's instructions to patients.

Clinical Tasks

• Preparing and maintaining the surgical area:

  • Ensuring cleanliness and organization.

• Assisting during procedures (e.g., handing supplies, labeling specimens).

• Providing post-operative patient care instructions.

• Confirming the arrangements for a driver when required post-procedure.

Informed Consent

• Agreement from the patient after explaining:

  • The procedure.

  • Risks involved.

  • Treatment options.

Types of Minor Surgical Procedures

• Biopsies:

  • Can be excisional (removing an entire lesion) or needle biopsies (aspirating tissue or fluid).

• Wound Care:

  • Repair of lacerations or debulking of puncture wounds.

  • Cleaning and irrigation of wounds.

• Common Minor Surgeries:

  • Incision and drainage of abscesses (I&D).

  • Ingrown toenail procedures.

  • Removal of moles (excisions).

Anesthesia in Minor Surgery

• Local Anesthesia:

  • Numbs a specific area.

  • Most minor surgeries utilize this rather than general anesthesia.

• General Anesthesia:

  • Patient is unconscious; used in more invasive procedures.

Wound Healing Phases

• Inflammatory Phase:

  • Blood vessels contract to form clots, allowing healing agents to arrive.

• Proliferation Phase:

  • Formation of new tissues; accelerated if edges of the wound are approximated.

• Maturation Phase:

  • Formation of scar tissue which is less durable than the original skin.

Tools & Instruments in Minor Surgery

Cutting & Dissecting Instruments

• Scalpels: For incisions, number 15 blade is commonly used.

• Scissors: Various types for cutting tissue and sutures.

• Curettes: For scraping tissue.

Grasping Instruments

• Forceps: For holding tissue in place.

• Hemostats: Clamping blood vessels to control bleeding.

Suturing Instruments

• Needles and Sutures: Used to close wounds; can be absorbable or non-absorbable.

• Safe needle disposal in puncture-proof containers.

Infection Control and Asepsis

• Understanding Asepsis Levels:

  • Medical Asepsis (Clean Technique): Reduces the number of pathogens.

  • Surgical Asepsis (Sterile Technique): Destroys all pathogens; maintains a sterile field.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

  • Gloves, gowns, masks, eyewear, and face shields for protection.

• Disposal Methods:

  • Sharps in puncture-proof containers.

  • Contaminated materials in biohazard bags.

Preoperative and Postoperative Care

Preoperative Care (Pre-op)

• Patient intake: Confirm procedure, dietary restrictions, and medication adjustments.

• Address patient concerns and provide reassurance.

Postoperative Care

• Provider dresses the wound and gives care instructions.

• MA reinforces instructions and schedules follow-ups

• Cleaning and preparation for the next patient.

Follow-Up Care

• Assess wound healing and change dressings if necessary.

• Sutures/staples usually removed 5-10 days post-procedure.