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As a surgeon what if you have to use the bathroom in the middle of the procedure ?
what do you do when having to use the bathroom during the procedure ?
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5 answers
Updated
Susan’s Answer
Lauren, it happens to a of us. Sometimes you hold it, sometimes you don't. You can ask your surgeon if it's a good time to go. If the answer is no, then you wait. Depending on how bad it is you can have your nurse get someone for a quickie run. I've had to break and hold. I've had surgeons who have had to break. I had one surgeon who would cath himself before a case. I've seen surgeons and techs pee on the floor because they just couldn't break. Just know if it happens to you...your not the only one.
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Terry’s Answer
Unfortunately, no matter how well you plan ahead, this can happen and does happen. Sometimes cases go longer than you anticipate. When you are operating and busy, you usually don't think about it or realize you need to go to the bathroom until you are done. If you do feel like you can't wait, you excuse yourself, break scrub and go. When you return, you have to scrub back in and regown and glove and then it's back to work. No need to be embarrassed, it happens to everyone. I've know surgeons or surgical scrubs feel sick and have to break scrub as well. By the way, breaking scrub means you step back from the OR table and leave the room and remove your gown and gloves as you leave.
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Sikawayi’s Answer
I did read the question. what she wanted to know was what if she personally could feel she had to use the restroom. And yes, you are right I was answering from a patient perceptive. Now there may be people in the room with you, but all eyes may not be on you at all times. Yes, this was a personal experiment, everyone in the room discovered I was awake when I screamed out from the pain. The surgeon told me if I felt anything call out, raise your anything to let me know you're an awake.
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Jeffrey’s Answer
You don't.
Typically a surgeon plans ahead, has a routine for preparing for a prolonged procedure and checks his/her own well being before starting.
Typically a surgeon plans ahead, has a routine for preparing for a prolonged procedure and checks his/her own well being before starting.
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Sikawayi’s Answer
If you can feel that you need to go to the restroom during a procedure, then your only under a local drug. If you have to go to the restroom and you are having surgery, I need for you to speak up.
I believe you answered this from the perspective of the patient. Lauren was asking from the perspective of the surgeon performing the surgery.
Lauren, typically, the surgeon will usually hold it if it's a quick surgery (1-3 hours). However, if absolutely necessary, they can leave for a few moments and re-scrub in when they return. This is not a favorable approach, as it takes a bit of time to un scrub and scrub up again. There are plenty of assistants and nurses that will be able to watch the patient if need be.
Carolyn S