Basic Surgical Techniques

Abstract

Short stay surgery, however efficient and effective the environment and organisational arrangements, is particularly dependent upon good surgical technique and attention to detail. It is undoubtedly the case that the greater the requirement for the shortest stay possible after surgery, the greater the need for a more experienced surgeon and anaesthetist. It is for this reason that day surgery units are commonly staffed and served by consultants rather than trainee surgeons and anaesthetists, although the nature of the surgery may actually be fairly straightforward and uncomplicated. Therefore it is essential that safe and sound surgical technique is an integral part of the consideration of any ‘short stay’ facility and although the subsequent chapters in this book will deal with the specific techniques required for individual procedures, this chapter is devoted to the basic techniques that will be utilised in all operative procedures.