What Gear?

[zona5101]

OMG, My friend hired me to do his brain surgery! I’m a little nervous; I mean it’s not like I don’t know which latex glove goes on which hand! But I’ve never done an operation like this before, I’m nervous and excited. So do you think I should use a #06 or a #11 scalpel blade? Also, can anyone give me a few tips or tricks on tying good suture knots? Thanks!






______
3M Littman Stethoscope, BD Thermometer, Assorted Gauze, Tape, & Bandages
It's not about how good your equipment is, it's about how good your insurance is

[Izzy]

The main question is what F-stop are you going to use when taking the pictures - the rest is easy

Make sure you get your lighting right

[sk66]

IMO, a scalpel is the wrong tool for the job...I'd want something faster.
I'd use a RotoZip. If you can't afford something quite that fast consider something like a Dremel.

[RichardTaylor]

This web site may help.

Brain-Surgery.com: BRAIN & NEURO SURGERY INFORMATION CENTER

Just keep in mind it is not something really complicated, like photography.

Re Izzy's comment about lighting.
If you can't see what you are doing then you are really in the dark.

[candleman]

PRACTICE FOR A DAY OR TWO BEFOREHAND ON YOUR PET CAT..

ALSO, RENT A FEW EPISODES OF ER AND WATCH THOSE, IT SHOULD BE PRETTY EASY SEEING AS YOU'VE SEEN IT DONE BEFORE.

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by candleman

PRACTICE FOR A DAY OR TWO BEFOREHAND ON YOUR PET CAT..

ALSO, RENT A FEW EPISODES OF ER AND WATCH THOSE, IT SHOULD BE PRETTY EASY SEEING AS YOU'VE SEEN IT DONE BEFORE.

I prefer House. That would be my bed side manner.

Bruce, we sell gloves where I work. I can give you a good deal on latex, latex free. powdered or powder free, nitrile, or nitrile with the grippy fingers. Or just plain ole' Glad sandwich bags. They work in a pinch. What's your poison?

[zona5101]

I have a rotozip for lopping the top off to make the big opening, I think i'll rent a dremel for the fine work....which bits!??! There's sooo many! Think the flexible extension is worth the money?

oh and gloves - I like nitrile 'casue they don't desolve in Hopps #9 (my go-to scapel and gun bore cleaner).

ER and the Cat - got it - THANKS!

[douglas]

You need a number of things but essentials:-
a map


and a reliable tool
(Acknowledgement Renjith Krichnan)



and remember, if you are going to make a hole...make a BIG hole. You can see much better.
(Is your malpractice insurance up to date?)

[Jonbar18]

Originally Posted by zona5101

er and the cat - got it - thanks!

no! House!

[WooD]

Your probably going to need a saw or drill at the beginning of the procedure to get to the brain.

My all time favorite is the 10 blade.

Depending on what type of brain surgery your going to be doing, as in maybe just fixing a bleed, removing a small tumor, or going as far as removing the temple lobe.

Slip knot
Square knot
Weston knot
Roeder loop