week 11 surgical Prep

Role of the Veterinary Assistant in Surgery

  • Surgical Suite Preparation

    • Assist in preparing the surgical suite.

    • Responsibilities include:

    • Restraining animals for anesthetic induction.

    • Preparing animals for surgery.

    • Cleaning and sterilizing instruments.

    • Follow aseptic procedures to minimize infection risk.

Aseptic Procedure

  • Purpose: Designed to reduce infectious organisms in patients undergoing surgery.

Surgical Suite Setup

  • Location: Out of normal traffic flow to minimize contamination.

  • Ventilation: Separate air systems.

  • Access: Doors should isolate the suite from the hospital.

  • Clutter-Free: Keep uncluttered; store only supplies/equipment directly related to surgery.

  • Materials: Surfaces should be easily cleaned.

Equipment Setup Responsibilities

  • Responsible for setting up:

    • Anesthesia machines

    • Fluid pumps

    • Heating devices

    • Monitors

Anesthesia Machine

  • Delivers oxygen and anesthetic gas to maintain anesthesia.

  • Removes exhaled carbon dioxide via a scavenger system.

    • Pre-Surgery Checks: Check gas levels, hoses, bag connections, and leakage.

IV Fluids and Equipment

  • Setup includes:

    • An IV fluid pump and warmer

    • Warm fluids during surgery to counteract temperature drop.

Heating Pad

  • Use: A circulating hot water heating pad placed under the patient.

  • Setup: A towel is placed over the heating pad.

Surgical Monitoring

  • Attach monitors to measure:

    • Heart rate

    • Respiratory rate

    • Blood pressure

    • Oxygen saturation

    • Carbon dioxide levels

  • Ensure all monitor attachments are functional.

Surgical Packs

  • Gather surgical packs, drapes, and sutures prior to surgery.

  • Packs should remain closed until ready for use.

Additional Supplies

  • May include esophageal stethoscope, anesthesia records, radiographs, suction, and cautery depending on the procedure.

Anesthetic Induction

  • First step: Intubate to secure airway.

  • Assisting in patient restraint is crucial.

    • Procedure: Patients often sedated with medication pre-induction for smoother recovery.

    • Check take jaw tone and blink reflexes.

Patient Preparation

  • Prepping done in a designated area, not the surgical suite, to avoid contamination.

  • Positioning depends on surgery type (usually ventral side up for abdominal procedures).

  • Clipping: Area shaved with a size 40 surgical blade and using a vacuum for hair removal.

  • Bladder Care: Express before abdominal surgeries.

Surgical Site Scrubbing

  • Scrubbing:

    • Use antiseptic scrub (Chlorhexidine, Povidone iodine).

    • Prepare fresh scrub solution in a sterile bowl for each patient.

    • Scrub from the center of incision outward; repeat minimally thrice.

  • Alcohol Wipe: Wipe area with isopropyl alcohol, moving outward; no backtracking.

Transport to Surgical Suite

  • Careful movement to avoid contamination:

    • Small animals: carried.

    • Large dogs: need 2 people or a moveable table.

  • On table, connect monitors and tie legs to ensure correct positioning.

Surgical Room Conduct

  • Wear appropriate sterile attire (mask, cap, shoe covers).

  • Avoid contact with non-sterile surfaces.

  • Limit conversation with the surgical team to maintain focus.

Final Sterile Preparation

  • Techniques like open gloving introduced before final checks and prep.

References

  • Sirois, M. (2021) Elsevier's Veterinary Assisting Textbook, 3rd Edition.