I work in the Operating Theatre. AMA

[1AnotherOne]

I’m an Operating Department Practitioner working in the private sector.

I work the majority the time in a senior speciality role as a scrub practitioner or surgical first assistant.

Sometimes I work alongside the anaesthetist.

ask me anything!

I have been told by a surgeon and a dentist that red haired people feel pain differently and need higher dose of drugs and bleed more.

Is this really a thing in you experience?!

Following planned c section I was in recovery and my BP dropped, alarms went off and husband got kicked out.
Team came running in and gave me rapid saline in drip and seemed almost panicked, the guy in charge actually snapped at the assistant to ‘ calm down’.
I felt dreadful like I was being pulled away from myself.

Prior to this, before being closed up I had felt a gush of blood ( my right hand was left under the dividing sheet next to my side, so I felt it there).

My question is should I have been given blood to replace the loss, rather than saline?
I went on to be hospitalised a few years later with very severe anemia so always wondered about connection.

What are the relationships between the team like?
Generally only professional or more Greys Anatomy?!

Someone further up mentioned being allergic to morphine. Last time I was given it I had an allergic reaction and my body went bright red. I was given something else and it settled. I’m having an operation in a couple of weeks and worried about pain relief. I will raise a pre-op, but forgot to mention when I saw surgeon

Have you ever had anyone wake up during surgery, or say afterwards that they were awake during it?

I had surgery a few weeks ago and it was done by epidural, nerve block and light sedation. I woke up twice I heard the noise of hammering but it was hazy and I quickly fell back asleep the way you do if you hear a noise when you’re sleeping. I think I even saw my leg being held up in the air. It wasn’t scary and I didn’t feel any pain.

Best AMA thread ever!
Thank you OP

Such a great thread

Also, I wondered about your thoughts regarding the fact that healthcare, particularly maternity care is not equal.

I believe black women are four times more likely to die in childbirth , in Uk, than white women.
I do realise this is not your area but I wondered if you can give any insight into the reasons for this.
Have you noticed any prejudice (subtle or otherwise) based on race that leads to a different care level?

My 2 year old DS is due to have bilateral grommets done soon under GA. Will me or his Dad be able to stay with his whilst he's being anaesthetised or do we have to leave him? Also, how long will it be roughly between his operation finishing before we can go to him in recovery?

My daughter has a rare disease involving her mast cells so the protocol for anaesthesia is as per Mastocytosis. She had to have a GA earlier in the year for endoscopies (both) ends. She had her regular meds as usual in the morning, a sedative in advance of procedure as she was scared - really affected her, she was like she was drunk. They also gave i/v chloramphenicol during the procedure.

I think she was slow to wake but no one told me anything about it. We were discharged about 3hrs later. 2hrs after that we were in A&E after several bouts of vomiting & diarrhoea, shivering, feeling awful etc. No evidence of perforation or blockage so we assumed her mast cells got a bit angry. She was really unwell for a week, unable to eat anything for 3 days had rashes, itching etc lots of her mast cell symptoms.
So when I discussed with the Gastro & subsequently mast cell dr they've basically said everyone feels rough after a GA, it could've been the amount of physical trauma just making her feel rough etc etc
We're worried if she needs a further GA that it may be a similar experience.

What would your thoughts be presented with such a patient having another GA?

I appreciate it's not likely to be something you've come across before. Also, how do I get hold of her theatre notes post event?

There's actually studies on it! When I had an op under local they said "oh no you're a redhead, tricky!" (jokingly, I wasn't offended)

Just in case OP misses your question, you should be able to stay with your LO during the anaesthetic. My DS has had many over the years and I was always allowed in with him

Could you work abroad, like nurses do?

Thank you so much for reply always been fascinated how your kept under.

The alarm limits are set by the anaesthetists - some are more laid back than others.

we usually ask for arms across your chest when we are moving you from one bed to another. Or just so they are up out of the way.

Yes more than likely, we use lots of different ways to keep a surgical field exposed. Sometimes they may leave marks.

Sometimes laser plus also make little incisions and pull them out with a hook 😄 it’s the one operation I always think ‘wish I could have a go!’ It looks super satisfying (and gross)

the surgeons I’ve met have been very kind. However I found a big difference with working at them in the NHS compared to private. We have no junior surgeons here so we really are their right hand men and women. They are mostly all very friendly and love a joke and chat.

my knowledge and training grows everyday! There is nothing that you cannot learn. Everything changes and technology evolves so there is always something.

it is satisfying work, this is life changing or improving for our patients.

I think they used the hooks on me, it was in 2002. I have little nicks all on my legs and a 2 inch scar on my groin.

Yes I have assisted for bariatric surgery. My advice is speak with your surgeon, they will arrange your pre admission.

Yes intubated. Unless they have a spinal or regional block and have an infusion of sedation that will keep them chilled out and blissfully unaware.

No. I love blood and guts 😄 I hate phlegm.

Just a blood vessel that’s cut. They really do spurt! Easy to fix. They don’t bother us.

see NHS pay agenda. I’m around a band 7 equivalent