Operating Table (surgical table)

Introduction

• Operating tables are designed to provide a surface that supports a patient’s body during surgical procedures.
• They are key components in the operating room environment and help ensure that operations are conducted in a safe and efficient way.

Types

• Conventional operating tables consist of a modular ,rectangle shaped tabletop supported by a fixed pedestal base or movable base (mobile operating tables).
• There are 2 types of operating table:
  • Mechanical Tables
  • Electrical Tables 

Mechanical Tables 

• The control system of the table is mechanical and the patients position is changed by using manual levers.

Electrical Tables

• The electromotor has the duty of adjusting the table. A number of them change patients position by remote control.

Parts of the table 

• When surgical tables are in straight position, they are of three main parts of:
  • Top: it could be bent, lowered or taken. 
  • Body: it’s strongest part that bears the heavy weight parts of patients body including his/her chest, abdomen and pelvic. This part could be bent up or down.
  • Foot: it could be bent or adjusted to move down. It can also be remove.
• There are pads on each one of the three parts that could be removed.
• There are grooves next to surgical tables for connecting the relevant attachments such as hand rest and foot rest.

Pads

• Pressure reduction is among the primary issues and patients could not be moved or displaced, nor is it possible to lower the duration of keeping the patients on surgical table.
• Various materials are used in producing surgical table pads for reducing this pressure; namely:
  • Standard foam
  • Foam cover
  • Gel products
  • Air protection surfaces

Pads (features)  

• The pads in surgical operations should have specific features. These pads must be: 
  • Strong but flexible fabrics (can be easily washed and show resistance against various detergents)
  • Resistant against microorganisms growth (fungi and bacteria growth)
  • Radiation capability with X ray
  • Resistant against heating and cooling equipment
  • Water proof (to save the pad from penetration of liquids)
  • Covered by non-allergic coats
  • Be antistatic, comfortable and durable