Sunday, 27 April 2008
Monday, 14 April 2008
Carpal Tunnel Release
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes pressed at the wrist causing numbness.Surgery - An incision is made of approximately 2 inches long at the wrist. The carpal ligament is them cut to enlarge the carpal tunnel. This procedure is usually carried out with local anaesthetic.
View video of the carpal tunnel release procedure.
Friday, 11 April 2008
Thursday, 10 April 2008
Butler's Procedure
Overlapping of the 5th toe over the 4th toe.
Deformity consists of dorsiflexion and adduction at the metatarsophalangeal joint.
Purpose of procedure:
To release the extensor tendon.
Using racket incision
Deformity consists of dorsiflexion and adduction at the metatarsophalangeal joint.
Purpose of procedure:
To release the extensor tendon.
Using racket incision
Shoot the messenger
This morning I scrubbed (assisted) for a Butler's procedure. As I took the trolley into theatre, where 2 surgeons were waiting and the patient ready on the table. The anaesthetist (A) raised their voice and shouted at me for not taking a message correctly earlier in the morning before the list had started. I was totally astounded that somebody would talk to me in this way and especially blowing a situation way out of proportion and in front of 4 members of staff.
The message:
I answered the theatre phone approx. 8.15am. Another anaesthetist (B) relayed information to me to pass on. The message was for anaesthetist (A), to inform them that their accompanying SHO was not able to assist them for the list. I took the message and passed it onto to the ODP working with anaesthetist (A), but I forgot to take the name of the person whom I spoke to. I didn't think that this would be a problem and naively thought that it was not important.
When I came into the theatre with my trolley I was asked by the other ODP if I knew who gave me the message. I couldn't remember their name, but recognised their voice and began describing the person who gave me the message. Unfortunately, no one knew who I was talking about and anaesthetist (A) screamed at me (well that's how it felt at the time). I apologised for my mistake and expressed that I will make sure to take the persons name in future.
How I felt:
I felt very upset that someone was so annoyed at me and felt very uncomfortable about being shouted at in front of other people. I'm sure that even if the patient was awake, I would have got the same abuse. For a split second I felt like shouting back 'what is your problem? You got your message didn't you?'. But I knew that wouldn't solve anything and I would look and feel like a complete idiot afterwards. I bit my tongue (good job I was wearing a mask), said my peace and left it at that.
The situation played on my mind all morning. I kicked myself for not taking the persons name and accepted that I should have dealt with the phone call better. Usually I do take the persons name, but due to the nature of the message I thought it was irrelevant....stupid me! I also felt that the anaesthetist just wanted to shout at someone because their helper (the SHO) wasn't going to be around for the day. They wanted to know who sent the message so they could speak to them directly and have a moan at them for not letting them know personally.
What I have learned:
After the morning list was finished I specifically approached the anaesthetist again to apologise. I knew I didn't have to as all was brought to a close earlier. I know I had made a mistake, but not one that warranted such a response. By apologising again, the anaesthetist realised that they had dealt with the situation without tact and had actually not meant to direct their anger at me. I almost received an apology for their behaviour towards me and walked away feeling proud that I dealt with an awkward situation without causing any further animosity.
I am determined to win this anaesthetist over. There have been a few situations like this where I have felt the victim of this anaesthetists bad moods...I guess I'm an easy target being a trainee with little experience. I have been informed by many that it's just the way they are and I shouldn't be offended. So, I will carry on apologising and I am determined not to retaliate or be so offended and maybe....just maybe I can make this anaesthetist a happier person.
The message:
I answered the theatre phone approx. 8.15am. Another anaesthetist (B) relayed information to me to pass on. The message was for anaesthetist (A), to inform them that their accompanying SHO was not able to assist them for the list. I took the message and passed it onto to the ODP working with anaesthetist (A), but I forgot to take the name of the person whom I spoke to. I didn't think that this would be a problem and naively thought that it was not important.
When I came into the theatre with my trolley I was asked by the other ODP if I knew who gave me the message. I couldn't remember their name, but recognised their voice and began describing the person who gave me the message. Unfortunately, no one knew who I was talking about and anaesthetist (A) screamed at me (well that's how it felt at the time). I apologised for my mistake and expressed that I will make sure to take the persons name in future.
How I felt:
I felt very upset that someone was so annoyed at me and felt very uncomfortable about being shouted at in front of other people. I'm sure that even if the patient was awake, I would have got the same abuse. For a split second I felt like shouting back 'what is your problem? You got your message didn't you?'. But I knew that wouldn't solve anything and I would look and feel like a complete idiot afterwards. I bit my tongue (good job I was wearing a mask), said my peace and left it at that.
The situation played on my mind all morning. I kicked myself for not taking the persons name and accepted that I should have dealt with the phone call better. Usually I do take the persons name, but due to the nature of the message I thought it was irrelevant....stupid me! I also felt that the anaesthetist just wanted to shout at someone because their helper (the SHO) wasn't going to be around for the day. They wanted to know who sent the message so they could speak to them directly and have a moan at them for not letting them know personally.
What I have learned:
After the morning list was finished I specifically approached the anaesthetist again to apologise. I knew I didn't have to as all was brought to a close earlier. I know I had made a mistake, but not one that warranted such a response. By apologising again, the anaesthetist realised that they had dealt with the situation without tact and had actually not meant to direct their anger at me. I almost received an apology for their behaviour towards me and walked away feeling proud that I dealt with an awkward situation without causing any further animosity.
I am determined to win this anaesthetist over. There have been a few situations like this where I have felt the victim of this anaesthetists bad moods...I guess I'm an easy target being a trainee with little experience. I have been informed by many that it's just the way they are and I shouldn't be offended. So, I will carry on apologising and I am determined not to retaliate or be so offended and maybe....just maybe I can make this anaesthetist a happier person.
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