Animal Health Solution - a Henry Schein Animal Health magazine for veterinary professionals
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1474432
8 Covetrus | 855.724.3461 | northamerica.covetrus.com Ask for Help As a boarded veterinary surgeon, I have spent years developing my surgical skills and I have seen many more cases than the average first referral veterinarian. One thing I can say for certain, is that there is no substitute for experience as it relates to small animal surgery and orthopedics. If you have decided to expand your knowledge base and learn advanced surgical procedures, it's important to try and stay within your skill level. If you have any reservations, seek guidance. Many companies offer services that will allow you to submit radiographs and data (age, weight, circumstances), and gather a surgeon's recommendation on implants to use, or further guidance on potentially referring the case. Remember that you're not alone and there is help and support available. This behavior is not only ethically best practice, but it also allows you to become hyper-focused and competent in the surgeries you perform regularly. Equipment and Surgical Instruments Like any good craftsperson, a surgeon is only as good as their instruments. It's been long stated that a surgical instrument is an extension of the surgeon's hand. Therefore, it pays to have proper instrumentation in good working order. Never try to "get by" with what you have. If you need additional retractors, or larger bone reduction forceps, don't hesitate to purchase these items and add to your arsenal of surgical instruments. Make sure that your powered surgical instruments are on a preventative maintenance program. You don't drive your car until it breaks down, but it seems to be the norm for orthopedic drills and saws. Ensure that your sharps (scissors, osteotomes, chisels, etc.) are SHARP! Develop a plan to work with your team to identify and replace or repair instruments that aren't making the cut. As a surgeon, instruments are a crucial component to success, and so are the ancillary items found in the operating theatre. Surgical lighting, eye loupes, surgical tables, electrocautery units, anesthesia, and monitoring equipment, should all be state of the art. Your patients deserve the best and cutting corners should never be an option. Personal Protective Equipment It's not uncommon in our profession to hear of surgeons using limited PPE when performing basic procedures. I speak for all when I say that this is unacceptable in our profession, especially in the post-Covid era, wherein PPE has become everyone's responsibility. The risks for transmission are high when performing any open surgical procedure, and it requires limited time and resources to do the right thing. Your patients and your clients deserve the highest level of commitment to preventing surgical site infections, and PPE is a good first step. There are multiple resources for obtaining and learning more about PPE levels and expectations. For instance, the AVMA 1 , CDC 2 , and OSHA 3 all provide detailed information on the various level requirements for wearing proper PPE. My regimen for PPE is as follows: Scrubs that are clean and only worn in clinic, approved footwear (surgeon's clogs) or foot coverings, head covering, a new face mask, protective eye wear (when indicated), and a single-use gown. After proper hand scrubbing with an non-irritating hand scrub with broad spectrum of action that's fast acting and persistent, I then don my gown, and finally put on sterile, single-use surgeon's gloves. Surgical lighting, eye loupes, surgical tables, electrocautery units, anesthesia, and monitoring equipment, should all be state of the art. Your patients deserve the best and cutting corners should never be an option.