ABSTRACT
Depending on the surgeon’s preference and size, he may either sit or stand. The assisting surgeons must also be taken into account when choosing the surgeon’s position: they will have to bend over if the surgeon is both short and sitting, whereas if he is tall and standing, they will need to stand, stretching on tiptoe in order to provide appropriate assistance. The height of the operating table is adjusted accordingly, approximately at the height of the surgeon’s elbows. If possible, two assistant surgeons should be present, with one on either side of the surgeon, as well as an instrument nurse positioned behind the surgeon s right or left shoulder, depending on whether he is right-or left-handed. The instrument nurse is provided with a table that is placed behind the surgeon’s back. A good instrument nurse will know the procedure from start to finish and prepare the instruments and sutures in anticipation of the surgeon’s requests. The advantage of such an ideal set-up is that the surgeon can fully concentrate on an operating field that remains constantly in his view.
