All of the members of the surgical team are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and sterility of the surgical tools in order to stop the spread of illness and stay clear of contamination. The appropriate preparation and management of sterile goods and the sterilization of ENT instruments help to ensure this. The following is a rundown of the several methods for preserving sterility:
The Assembly of ENT Instruments for Use in the Operating Room
The preparation of instruments and the setting up of the table should take place in a sterile preparation room that is equipped with a laminar down-flow ventilation system. This type of ventilation system drives ambient air away from the site, bringing contaminating dust particles with it. In order to set up the sterile field, a back table and a Mayo stand are used.
Once they are in place, sterile instruments and supplies can be placed on them. In a circumstance in which there is no dedicated sterile preparation, the sterile field can be set up in the operating room with operating room furniture (such as a back table, Mayo stand, and operating room trolley), but it must be situated a significant distance from the door in order to avoid contamination. The table setup furniture and equipment should be situated at least one meter away from the walls, and the person who is moving goods from the unsterile area to the sterile field should stand at least fifty centimeters away from it.
The operating room has been stocked with every sterile material and instrument set that may be required. The technique that will be performed as well as the local protocol for performing the procedure will determine the contents of these packs as well as the size of these packs. In accordance with the regional protocol, the chemical indicator, the material of the package, and the expiration date should all be examined.
Sterilization of Surgical Instruments
In order to stop the transmission of infection, surgical equipment needs to be properly sanitized and kept in good condition. It is necessary to clean and disinfect used instruments in order to guarantee that the instruments are sanitary. When treating an infection, it is best to use single-use equipment, such as gauze swabs and sutures, to avoid spreading the illness to other patients. The ability to sterilize certain surgical instruments is either incorporated into the device itself or can be purchased separately along with a sterilizing system.
The fact that metal instruments are built from stainless steel means that they should never be submerged in ethylene oxide (ETO), as this might cause pitting or rusting of the metal. This is a very crucial point to keep in mind. Autoclaving is yet another technique for sterilization that can be utilized. The goods are placed in a water bath and subjected to steam for approximately 5 minutes at a temperature of approximately 121 degrees Celsius.
After that, the water bath is taken out of the autoclave, and the autoclave is switched off. After that, the objects are allowed to rest for an additional five minutes at room temperature in an atmosphere that will not cause condensation to form on the surface of the items.
Problems in Utilization of ENT Instruments
There are a number of typical complications that are connected with the use of these surgical instruments. These complications can be avoided by having a proper understanding of how to handle equipment and maintain sterility. Infection is one of the most often occurring consequences. When the devices are not thoroughly cleansed and disinfected before being used, the possibility of infection increases.
Damage to the tissues that surround the affected area is a common additional consequence. This may take place if the instruments are not utilized correctly or if they have not been adequately sterilized. [Cause and effect] The rate of problems will also be affected by the kinds of instruments that are utilized as well as the procedures that are carried out. For instance, the use of scalpels is linked to more severe consequences than the use of forceps and other forms of cutting instruments.
Conclusion:
In order to make the most of the instruments available during surgery, it is imperative that surgeons and other members of the surgical team have a solid grasp of how to correctly use the most fundamental instruments found in operating rooms. Surgeons are able to reduce the likelihood of injury to both themselves and their patients if they employ the appropriate surgical methods. Incorrect handling of surgical equipment can result in a variety of complications, including inadvertent puncture wounds, lacerations, and infections in the treated area. For more, check: ENT Instruments and their uses
