Intraoperative Procedures Flashcards

During a laparotomy, the surgeon requests a self-retaining retractor. Which of the following is MOST appropriate?

Answer: Balfour retractor

The Balfour retractor is a self-retaining abdominal retractor that holds the wound open without an assistant.

When passing a scalpel to the surgeon, the ST should use which technique?

Answer: Place it in a neutral zone on the field

The neutral zone (no-hands) technique reduces sharps injury risk by placing the instrument in a designated area for the surgeon to pick up.

Which suture is MOST appropriate for closing fascia in a high-tension abdominal closure?

Answer: Polypropylene #1

Polypropylene (Prolene) #1 is a non-absorbable, high-tensile monofilament suture ideal for fascial closure under tension.

A vessel loop is MOST commonly used intraoperatively to:

Answer: Retract and isolate vessels or nerves

Vessel loops are silicone loops used to retract and isolate delicate structures such as blood vessels and nerves without damaging them.

During an open cholecystectomy, which clamp is used to grasp the cystic duct before ligation?

Answer: Right-angle (Mixter) clamp

The right-angle (Mixter) clamp is used to dissect around and pass ligatures beneath tubular structures like the cystic duct.

The ST notices the field count is off by one sponge just before closure. The correct action is to:

Answer: Inform the surgeon immediately and conduct a thorough search

Any count discrepancy must be immediately reported to the surgeon so a search can be conducted before closing to prevent retained foreign bodies.

Which electrosurgery mode cuts tissue by producing a continuous waveform?

Answer: Cut mode

Cut mode uses a continuous, unmodulated high-frequency current that rapidly heats cells to vaporize tissue cleanly.