Special Surgical Procedures II
LESSON 1: Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat (EENT) Surgery
Section I: EYE SURGERY
1-4
1-4. CONSIDERATIONS AT THE COMPLETION OF SURGERY
a. At the completion of the operation, the surgical area is cleansed, using saline sponges.
b. Antibiotic ointment may be thinly spread over the skin and eyelashes to prevent adhesion of the bandage. This is frequently done after plastic procedures on the lids or lacrimal duct.
c. Dressings are applied to prevent palpebral movements, protect the operative wound from dust and external contaminants, and absorb any blood and tears that are produced.
d. The initial dressing usually consists of a piece of fine cotton. An eye pad that is commercially prepared and sterilized is applied over the cotton splint. The eye dressing may be held in place by means of paper tape.
e. After intraocular operations, when external pressure on the eyes might be very harmful, the initial dressing is covered with a protector such as a wire gauze cap, perforated aluminum plate, convex perforated metal cup, convex flexible celluloid plate, or some other kind of shield.
f. A pressure bandage may be used in some cases when a compression effect is desired. The gauze roller bandage is applied over the initial dressing, encircling the head.
g. The instruments are carefully cleaned and sterilized.
