Category Archives: Basic Skills for the OR

PUBLISHED: Male Foley Catheter Placement and Removal for Surgery

Male Foley Catheter Placement and Removal for Surgery
Bel Capati, RNShirin Towfigh, MD
Beverly Hills Hernia Center

Foley catheter insertion is a fundamental medical procedure that is routinely performed across a wide range of clinical specialties. The placement of a Foley catheter remains one of the most commonly executed interventions in the field of medicine. Foley catheter placement is a common medical procedure performed to assist in bladder drainage and management. This procedure is indicated for a variety of reasons, including the need to monitor urine output during surgery, the management of urinary retention or incontinence, and the facilitation of accurate measurement of urine output in critically ill patients.

The procedure is often performed before surgical interventions to ensure the bladder is emptied, reducing the risk of complications such as bladder distension or injury during the operation. Foley catheterization is a critical component of the care provided to patients undergoing surgical interventions. The procedure requires careful attention to detail and the implementation of proper sterile techniques to ensure patient safety and optimal outcomes. This video provides a step-by-step demonstration of Foley catheterization in a male patient, highlighting the importance of this procedure for medical personnel.

PUBLISHED: Suture Selection and Knot Tying Demonstration

Suture Selection and Knot Tying Demonstration
Deanna Rothman, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital

Knot tying is a fundamental skill in the surgical field, essential for securing sutures, ligating vessels, and creating secure anastomoses. The art of knot tying requires precision, dexterity, and a thorough understanding of suture materials and techniques. This video article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of surgical knot tying for beginners.

PUBLISHED: Suturing Techniques

Suturing Techniques
Deanna Rothman, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital

Proper wound closure techniques are essential for promoting healing, minimizing scarring, and reducing postoperative complications. By providing a detailed, step-by-step guide to various suturing methods, this video serves as an invaluable tool for surgical training programs and continuing medical education. The detailed explanation of each technique, coupled with practical demonstrations, provides a valuable resource for both beginner and experienced practitioners. By emphasizing proper technique, instrument handling, and tissue management, this demonstration contributes significantly to the development of essential surgical skills.

PREPRINTED: Suturing Techniques

Suturing Techniques
Deanna Rothman, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital

Proper wound closure techniques are essential for promoting healing, minimizing scarring, and reducing postoperative complications. By providing a detailed, step-by-step guide to various suturing methods, this video serves as an invaluable tool for surgical training programs and continuing medical education. The detailed explanation of each technique, coupled with practical demonstrations, provides a valuable resource for both beginner and experienced practitioners. By emphasizing proper technique, instrument handling, and tissue management, this demonstration contributes significantly to the development of essential surgical skills.

PREPRINTED: Suture Selection and Knot Tying Demonstration

Suture Selection and Knot Tying Demonstration
Deanna Rothman, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital

Knot tying is a fundamental skill in the surgical field, essential for securing sutures, ligating vessels, and creating secure anastomoses. The art of knot tying requires precision, dexterity, and a thorough understanding of suture materials and techniques. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview and demonstration of surgical knot tying.

PUBLISHED: Back Table Setup for an Open Umbilical Hernia Repair

Back Table Setup for an Open Umbilical Hernia Repair
Devon Massey, CSTShirin Towfigh, MD
Beverly Hills Hernia Center

Surgical instrument tables are considered as basic furniture for the operating room (OR). The largest table, typically rectangular or “L”-shaped, serves as a central hub for arranging and storing sterile supplies until needed during surgical procedures. The Mayo stand is an extension of the large table. It is small, height-adjustable, and intended to hang over the operating table and hold instruments and other sterile items for immediate use and within easy reach for the scrub nurse. Both the large table and the smaller Mayo stand are often referred to as back tables.

The specific equipment and arrangement of the back table may vary depending on the type of surgery and the surgeon’s preferences. This video provides a detailed, step-by-step guide to the back table setup for an open umbilical hernia repair surgery. It covers the preparation of the surgical field, the handling of sterile supplies, and the organization of the surgical tray. Additionally, it discusses the importance of adhering to sterile technique and the surgeon’s preferences during the procedure.

PUBLISHED: Surgical Staplers

Surgical Staplers
Brandon Buckner, CST, CRCST
Lamar State College Port Arthur (TX)

For nearly two centuries, surgeons have been using mechanical devices to approximate tissues and facilitate their healing process. Currently, surgical staplers are widely used and have become essential tools in surgery. Staples facilitate rapid wound closure, hence shortening the duration of the surgical procedure. In comparison to intradermal sutures, stapling is associated with better cosmetic outcomes.

Staplers are classified into five categories: circular, linear, linear cutting, ligating, and skin staplers. With distinct names, color-coded features, and variations in length and tissue thickness, each stapler serves a specific purpose in the surgical setting. The distinct characteristics of various tissue types in the human body significantly influence the selection of staples. This video aims to provide a comprehensive overview of stapling instruments and their associated use.

PUBLISHED: Laparoscopic Instruments

Laparoscopic Instruments
Brandon Buckner, CST, CRCST
Lamar State College Port Arthur (TX)

The origins of laparoscopic surgery trace back to the introduction of diagnostic laparoscopy in the 1960s. Subsequently, the approach underwent a notable evolution, transitioning from a primarily diagnostic procedure to a surgical technique. Laparoscopy, a type of minimally invasive surgery, was introduced to address issues related to significant tissue trauma, large cosmetic scars, and prolonged hospitalizations. This video provides a step-by-step demonstration of the assembly, disassembly, use, and handling of laparoscopic tools on the example of a basic Karl Storz laparoscopy kit.

PUBLISHED: Opening Sterile Surgical Instrument Containers

Opening Sterile Surgical Instrument Containers
Brandon Buckner, CST, CRCSTCrystal Romero
Lamar State College Port Arthur (TX)

In contemporary healthcare settings, the need to balance efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental responsibility has led to the widespread adoption of reusable containers for surgical instruments. This video demonstrates the advantages of employing reusable rigid containers for surgical instruments, using a laparoscopic set from Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas as a case study.

PUBLISHED: Opening Sterile Surgical Packs

Opening Sterile Surgical Packs
Brandon Buckner, CST, CRCST
Lamar State College Port Arthur (TX)

Surgical site infection (SSI) poses a significant risk to patients undergoing surgery. The prevalence of SSI is influenced by various factors. Within an ideal perioperative environment, exclusively sterile surgical instruments are employed. Care should be taken to thoroughly explore all methods of maintaining a contamination-free operating room (OR) environment.

The proper opening of sterile surgical instrument packs has critical importance in maintaining aseptic conditions in the OR. This video demonstrates all the nuances of this process, emphasizing the importance of package integrity checks and adherence to strict protocols for sterile surgical attire.