Question

Please answer from a surgical technologist's point of view.

1. What is the most common patient position(s) utilized in this surgical specialty? What devices and positioning aids may be used?

2. After looking at and handling instruments from this specialty, why do you think they are so long? In addition to their length, why do some instruments come in multiple sizes? Why is ascending order important in this anatomical region?

3. What are the differences between a hand-held retractor and a self-retaining retractor? What are examples of each in this specialty and explain why each might be used.

4. What should be used in combination with many Ob/GYN instruments and why?

5. If a diagnostic procedure is scheduled, what will be used for visualization and issues removal for biopsy? In addition to instrumentation, provided any supply items that my need to be used for a diagnostic procedure, as well as describing their use.

Answer 1

In surgical specialties, common patient positions include supine, lithotomy, and lateral positions. Surgical instruments in this specialty are long to provide reach and access to deep anatomical structures. Hand-held and self-retaining retractors are used for different purposes in surgery. A speculum is often used in combination with many Ob/GYN instruments. Hysteroscopy is used for visualization and biopsy in diagnostic procedures.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. In surgical specialties, the most common patient positions utilized are supine, lithotomy, and lateral positions. These positions allow the surgical team to have optimal access to the surgical site. Devices and positioning aids such as surgical tables, bean bags, and body straps may be used to ensure the patient is properly positioned and stabilized during surgery.

2. Surgical instruments in this specialty are often long to provide reach and access to deep anatomical structures. The length allows surgeons to navigate through layers of tissues without causing unnecessary trauma. Multiple sizes of instruments are available to accommodate variations in patient anatomy. Ascending order is important in this anatomical region to prevent injury or damage by starting with smaller instruments and gradually increasing the size as needed.

3. A hand-held retractor is held by a surgical team member to manually retract tissues, while a self-retaining retractor can be locked in place to provide continuous exposure. Examples in this specialty include hand-held retractors like the Richardson or Army-Navy retractors, and self-retaining retractors like Gelpi or Weitlaner retractors. Hand-held retractors may be used for temporary retraction, while self-retaining retractors are used when a prolonged or hands-free exposure is needed.

4. In combination with many Ob/GYN instruments, a speculum is often used. A speculum is a medical device used to visualize and access the vagina and cervix. It allows for examination, procedures like Pap smears or IUD insertion, and facilitates the use of other instruments.

5. For visualization and biopsy during a diagnostic procedure, a hysteroscope may be used in Ob/GYN. This instrument is inserted through the vagina and cervix to examine the uterine cavity and perform procedures like biopsies or polyp removal. Other supply items that may be used for a diagnostic procedure include biopsy forceps, endometrial samplers, and cytobrushes, each serving a specific purpose during the procedure.