Why is it important to maintain sterile conditions during surgical operations?

Question

Why is it important to maintain sterile conditions during surgical operations?

Answer 1

The smallest break in sterile technique could be dangerous for the patient and the doctors and nurses.  We keep operating rooms very cool because it lessens the chance of infection, lowers blood pressure and because the surgical team is covered, virtually from head to toe, per JCAHO standards.  As a team member, we have hair coverings, eye and face shields, a sterile gown that nearly touches the floor, and shoe covers.  Oh, yes, we also wear latex gloves.  You hear of the dangers policemen and firefighters face, but no one seems to think my job is "dangerous"!  We no longer can ask a patient if they have AIDS, HepC or any other disease that could endanger our lives.  This is another reason for the importance of maintaining a sterile field.    A friend that I used to do heart surgery with passed away last year from a needlestick in the OR; the patient had Hepatitis C.  People don't realize that when we are loading suture for by-passes, the "string" is about a thick as an eyelash and the needle is just as tiny.  As the surgeon was handing the suture back, she got stuck.  She became very sick; was at the University of Florida Medical Center waiting for a liver transplant; but didn't make it.  She is/was a wonderful person and nurse!  We all miss her.

Answer 2

To prevent infections.

Answer 3

Your skin is the barrier that prevents bacteria from entering your body.  When we cut into the skin, we bypass that barrier.

The OR room itself is not sterile, but the surgical field is kept as sterile as possible.  In addition, antibiotics are usually administered pre-op, and many times, the wound is irrigated with saline that has antibiotics in it.

Surgical wound infections do sometimes occur, and can be tough to treat, especially if the surgery involved implanting something (like a total joint).

Answer 4

It is important to maintain a sterile 'field' during surgery to reduce the risk of infection through the wound, or surgical site.

Just a bit of history; During the American Civil War, I believe it was around 1867, a German scientist "discovered" that many of the amputations that were being done as a result of infected post surgical wounds could be prevented, simply by the surgeon washing his hands between procedures.

Answer 5

So that bacterias and the germs do not attack your body when you are most vulnerable. A surgery is being performed on your body, already your body has to fight back and cope up with new drugs being administered and the present bacterias in the body.

Along with this situation if an additional germs or bacterias were to attack you from the ambient atmosphere than you would not survive the shock of an operation .

Thus the surgerical room has to be scrupulously maintained sterile.

Answer 6

Because germs kill people.

Answer 7

To keep germs out of your body.  After being cut open your body needs it's energy put towards healing not towards fighting bacteria and germs that could have been avoided.