In undertaking a surgery, surgeons are always expected to be highly protected from any possible infections that might occur while in surgery. Measures are taken right from the equipment they use, surgical scrubs and the drapes.
Each aspect of operation is handled with care in this instance the use of drapes; they are used in surgery to cover on a patient and surrounding areas providing a sterile barrier. Surgical procedures require sterile environment and drape purposefully help in to maintain this. Draping eliminates any possible passage of microorganisms between the non-sterile and the sterile areas.
They are either disposable or non-disposable depending on its material. Disposable drapes are usually plastics while the non-disposable ones are made of muslin in double thickness and are absorbent. In handling drapes, there are different standard practices set that hospitals have to ensure adhered to while using. First; only sterile drapes should be used within a sterile field.
There should not be any case of compromise in the integrity and of the microbial barrier as this can result in contamination
Disposable Drapes used should be resistant to fluid penetration so as to prevent strikethrough contamination possibilities
Should be lint free to avoid surgical site infection and airborne transportation of microbes
Drapes should be flame resistant; equipment’s such as lasers or electrosurgery can cause ignition within the sterile environment.
Before the use of any drapes in the surgical room, the surgical team members are expected to carry out an evaluation upfront on the drapes they intend to use. The drapes should be of easy to handle material for contour with the patient; any reusable drapes should be toxic free. Also, they should analyse if the drapes are in line with the societal standards involved example ASTM and it’s also important that they have limited memory.
What are the types of drapes used in surgery?
Incise Drapes, which have a high moisture vapourising rate, are highly comfortable to the body and have a super adhesion right up.
General surgery drapes that are adaptable to the various general procedures possible and can meet potential challenges such as irrigation of fluids or large blood volumes
Orthopaedic drapes that maintains a sterile field throughout the procedure. They can withstand heavy manipulations within the proceedings.
Inconclusive the drape to be used is to be chosen by the surgery team as only they know which type and kind of surgery they will be undertaking.