Final answer:
The risks of oral and maxillofacial surgery include infection, hemorrhage, and nerve injury. Precautions include strict aseptic technique, management of bleeding, and protection of neural structures. A surgical timeout is critical for patient safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The potential hazards of oral and maxillofacial surgery that a surgical technologist must anticipate include infection, hemorrhage, and nerve injury. Three precautions that should be taken to mitigate these risks are:
- Strict aseptic technique to prevent postoperative infections.
- Meticulous surgical technique and readiness with hemostatic agents to manage intraoperative bleeding.
- Careful identification and preservation of neural structures to avoid nerve damage.
During a surgical timeout, the entire team confirms the patient's identity, surgical site, and consent, ensuring that the proper procedure is followed. Moreover, the Association of Surgical Technologists emphasizes the importance of creating and maintaining a sterile field, which is essential for preventing surgical site infections, including secondary conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, an iatrogenic disease.