Surgical assistance and instrument knowledge
Knowing the background before the veterinarian asks for it
Throughout the entire surgery the veterinary nurse is present with two simultaneous tasks: to function as an anesthesia nurse monitoring the patient's condition under anesthesia and to assist the veterinarian practically by handing instruments holding tissue aside and helping with suturing. It requires that you know the field so well that you can hand the right instrument without the veterinarian needing to look up from the surgical field.
§The instrument tray – know the tools
| Instrument | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Anatomical/surgical forceps | Gentle handling and manipulation of tissues |
| Pean/arterieklemme | Clamps around vessel or tissue to stop bleeding |
| Needle holder | Holds and guides the suture needle when sewing |
| Scalpel handle and blade | Sharp incision of tissue |
| Sharpskin | Removal of tissue or material with sharp spoon-shaped end |
| Suture Set and Suture Material | Closure of tissue and skin |
§Selection of suture material
Suture Material Comes in Several Main Types: absorbable, which the body breaks down over time without needing to be removed, and non-absorbable, which is typically removed after a set period. The material also comes as monofilament (one continuous thread) or multifilament (braided threads), and the choice between them depends on tissue type, location and how high a risk for infection the veterinarian assesses. The final choice is always the veterinarian's professional decision — your task is to know the range so you can quickly find what is being asked for.
§Counting — the most important routine in the operating room
- 01Count compresses, swabs and needles visibly when the tray is set up and note the number.
- 02Keep track of what is taken from and put back on the tray throughout the procedure.
- 03Recount everything before the operating field closes and clearly state to the veterinarian that the count matches.
- 04For discrepancies: stop and search systematically before closing.
§Asepsis throughout the process
As with all other surgery, the aseptic principle applies throughout: sterile may only touch sterile, and if you are unsure whether something is unclean, it is treated as unclean. This applies to instruments, hands and the draping of the operating field, and it is a shared task for everyone in the room to maintain this boundary — not just the veterinarian's responsibility.
§After the intervention
As soon as the patient is taken to recovery the preparation for the next procedure begins. Instruments are cleaned immediately so organic material doesn't dry and make cleaning harder after which they are packaged and sterilised according to the clinic's procedure. Damaged instruments are sorted for repair or disposal — a dull blade or an instrument with a defective hinge is a risk not a detail.
“A good operating assistant is not known by what she says — but by the right instrument always already lying ready in her hand.”