The Surgeon at the Operating Table

The preparations for performing VR surgery are time-consuming initially, but they become much less so with time: some of the activities need a one-time effort; others become routine. However, the initial preparations are indeed necessary to reduce the unavoidable tension associated with performing complex and high-stake surgery.

Pearl

Inadequate preparation for VR surgery increases the surgeon’s stress level, the complication rate, and is, long term, threatening the surgeon’s physical health as well.

16.1The OR Personnel

•The surgeon should work with a well-trained, well-intentioned, and attentive nurse (see Chap. 6).

•A circulator1 must be present during the entire time. This person must know where to find:

–All the equipment, instruments, tools, material, supplies, spare parts etc. that may become necessary during the operation, even if these are rarely used.2

–Any other personnel3 who may be needed.

•Anesthesiologist: if surgery is done under local anesthesia, the anesthesiologist need not be in the OR all the time, but must be available in case the patient’s systemic condition requires his intervention.

1A knowledgeable nurse who is not scrubbed in.

2Spare light bulbs and other parts, extension cord, battery charger, flashlight etc.

3Other VR surgeon/s, cleaning person, electrician, on-hand repair technician for the equipment.

F. Kuhn, Vitreoretinal Surgery: Strategies and Tactics,

DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-19479-0_16