Operating theater

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An operating theater (also known as an Operating Room (OR), operating suite, operation suite, or Operation Theatre (OT)) is a facility within a hospital where surgical operations are carried out in an aseptic environment.

Historically, the term "operating theater" referred to a non-sterile, tiered

Operating rooms

Operating rooms are spacious, in a

Temperature and surgical site infections (SSI). The current operating room design temperature is between 65 and 75 °F (18 and 24 °C).[2]^[3] Operating rooms are typically kept below 73.4 °F (23 °C) & room temperature is the most critical factor in influencing heat loss.^[4] Surgeons wear multiple layers (surgical gowns, lead aprons) and may perspire into an incision if not kept cool; excessive heat may also decrease concentration and increase the frequency of errors.^[4] Higher temperatures increased subjective physical demand and frustration of the surgical staff.^[2] One option is to heat the patient to prevent surgical site infections (SSI) and keep the surgical team cool. There is a 3 fold increase in infection for every 1.9 degree Celsius body temperature decrease because of weakened immune response at lower body temperatures.^[5] Radiation is the major cause of heat loss in patients, and convection (through air) is the second cause of heat loss.^[6] In the first hour, it is common for a healthy patient’s temperature to decrease 0.5-1.5 °C as anesthesia causes rapid decrease in core temperature.^[6] One study found that the most efficient method of maintaining normothermia included using warm wraps and a heating blanket (commercially known as a Bair Hugger).^{[citation needed]} Additionally, pre-warming for thirty minutes may prevent hypothermia.^[4]

Operating room equipment

• The operating table in the center of the room can be raised, lowered, and tilted in any direction.[7]
• The operating room lights are over the table to provide bright light, without shadows, during surgery.^[7]
• The
  anesthesia machine is at the head of the operating table. This machine has tubes that connect to the patient to assist them in breathing during surgery, and built-in monitors that help control the mixture of gases in the breathing circuit.^[7]
• The anesthesia cart is next to the anesthesia machine. It contains the medications, equipment, and other supplies that the anesthesiologist may need.[7]
• Sterile instruments to be used during surgery are arranged on a stainless steel table.^[7]
• An electronic monitor (which records the heart rate and respiratory rate by adhesive patches that are placed on the patient's chest).^[7]
• The pulse oximeter machine attaches to the patient's finger with an elastic band aid. It measures the amount of oxygen contained in the blood.^[7]
• Automated blood pressure measuring machine that automatically inflates the blood pressure cuff on a patient's arm.^[7]
• An electrocautery machine uses high frequency electrical signals to cauterize or seal off blood vessels and may also be used to cut through tissue with a minimal amount of bleeding.^[7]
• If surgery requires, a
  heart-lung machine or other specialized equipment may be brought into the room.^[7]
• Supplementary portable air decontaminating equipment is sometimes placed in the OR.[8] ^[9]
• Advances in technology now support hybrid operating rooms, which integrate diagnostic imaging systems such as
  MRI and cardiac catheterization into the operating room to assist surgeons in specialized neurological and cardiac procedures.^[7]

• A protective cap covering their hair
• Masks over their lower face, covering their mouths and noses with minimal gaps to prevent inhalation of plume or airborne microbes
• Shades or glasses over their eyes, including specialized colored glasses for use with different lasers. a fiber-optic headlight may be attached for greater visibility
• Sterile gloves; usually latex-free due to latex sensitivity which affects some health care workers and patients
• Long gowns, with the bottom of the gown no closer than six inches to the ground.
• Protective covers on their shoes[10]
• If x-rays are expected to be used, lead aprons/neck covers are used to prevent overexposure to radiation

The surgeon may also wear special glasses that help him/her to see more clearly. The circulating nurse and anesthesiologist will not wear a gown in the OR because they are not a part of the sterile team. They must keep a distance of 12-16 inches from any sterile object, person, or field.

History

Early operating theaters in an educational setting had raised tables or chairs at the center for performing operations surrounded by steep tiers of standing stalls for students and other spectators to observe the case in progress. The surgeons wore street clothes with an apron to protect them from blood stains, and they operated bare-handed with unsterilized instruments and supplies.^{[citation needed]}

The University of Padua began teaching medicine in 1222. It played a leading role in the identification and treatment of diseases and ailments, specializing in autopsies and the inner workings of the body.^[11] In 1884 German surgeon

The oldest surviving operating theater is thought to be the 1804 operating theater of the

• Anatomical theater
• Hybrid operating room

References