Operating theatre line-up
The primary surgeon and the surgical assistant
The team performing the operation in the operating theatre consists of the primary surgeon, an anaesthetist, a nurse anaesthetist, a surgical assistant and a circulating nurse. The surgical assistant, as the name suggests, assists the primary surgeon with the operation. This person has to be sterile when s/he hands the surgeon his equipment.
The circulating nurse
In addition, the team comprises a circulating nurse. This is a person who is not sterile and helps the surgical assistant and surgeon when additional equipment must be fetched from the warehouse. He or she is responsible for the non-sterile tasks in the operating theatre.
The anaesthetist
The team also comprises an anaesthetist and a nurse anaesthetist. They induce general anaesthesia and monitor patients during and immediately after an operation.
