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.