ABSTRACT
Joseph Lister went on to develop his practice of antisepsis, including carbolic acid (phenol) spraying of the air around the operation site, instrument sterilization and washing of the surgeon's hands. Since Lister's time, much effort has been spent in trying to provide an environment in which orthopaedic surgery, especially joint arthroplasty, can be performed with minimum risk of subsequent infection. This chapter summarizes these efforts and provides a framework for the orthopaedic surgeon when considering the operating theatre environment. There is also a discussion of the general operating theatre equipment and protocols common to many orthopaedic procedures that allow surgery to proceed safely. The operating theatre should be located close to other related facilities, e.g. the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU), the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department, the radiology department, the pathology department and the wards. Operating theatres should be of sufficient size to accommodate theatre personnel, the patient and the necessary theatre equipment.
