MY CLINICAL ROTATION DIARY-12

So… today’s minor surgery.

One of the registrars, Dr Victor, had asked me if I wanted to scrub in (actively assist, more like the surgeon assistant) for the next surgery. I said I’d be willing to. Then he saidsomething else that would make my scrubbing in not possible,I don’t remember what it was exactly but another registrar, Dr Gabe, was to scrub in with him. I told Dr Victor that I’ll be okwith scrubbing in if an opportunity came up.

When it was about time for the surgery we (MSs) went into the theatre as we usually do when our team is to operate. As we got ready for the commencement of the surgery, Marthaasked Dr Victor if she could scrub in with him for the surgery. He told her that Dr Gabe was to scrub in with him.

Dr Gabe entered the theatre some minutes later, but soon went out because he had a call and had to attend to something urgent.

As the surgery began, Dr Victor asked me to go scrub in! You should have seen me blush and giggle ‘coded-ly’.

Martha volunteered to help me prepare. She instructed me on how to wash my hands, after which the scrub nurse and another team member helped me get ready…putting on sterile surgical wear, sterile gloves, and all.

I was pretty elated, but didn’t show it much I hope.

I joined the surgeon as he instructed me on what to do- to dab blood off the operation site whenever I saw it. I helped in cutting the suture ends…and other duties of a surgical first assistant. I felt like the second surgeon. It was a big deal for me. The surgeon, the scrub nurse and I were the only ones who could touch the patient and operating site, because it was a sterile procedure and we were the only ones on sterile outfits.

During the surgery, Dr Victor said I was doing well. Oh my! Do you know what that did to me? Dopamine rush! I was happy that the surgeon said I was doing well. It boosted my confidence. I’ll always be grateful for the experience.

The surgery was successful.

We went for a minor procedure (fine needle aspiration biopsy) with the consultant on two other patients, which were both successful.

Watch out for Episode 13