can patients keep their underpants on for surgery

[brownbook]

Well, the title says it all. However of course it would depend on where the surgeon will be cutting. If the surgical site is not close to the abdominal, pelvic, upper thigh, etc. area, what do you guys do?

I often tell patients they can leave their underpants on, for example for breast biopsies. I always tell them in an emergency their underpants may need to be cut off. I've heard one surgeon (who does a lot of breast biopsies) say yes, of course, you can leave your underpants on. But sometimes a co-worker comes along after me and tells the patient, oh no, you HAVE TO take everything off. I also hear something about if the underpants are ??? nylon ??? or something about what the fabric is they can catch fire more easily?

[CountMeAmused]

I am amazed about what I am reading. What many of you are describing is sexual assault. If a patient is told they may keep their underwear on, that means they STAY ON. It is NOT OKAY...NEVER WAS OKAY...to take advantage of an anesthetized patient and countermand their wishes. Gee, I wonder where the lack of trust for surgical personnel comes from?

Enraging criminal behavior laughed off by people that have grown too callous for their profession.

[robinrogers35]

We are told to have our patients take theirs off due to the elastic in the band can heat up and burn the patients from the cautery. Not sure if this fact or not but I just usually pull them down to their ankles if I can.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

robinrogers35 said:

We are told to have our patients take theirs off due to the elastic in the band can heat up and burn the patients from the cautery. Not sure if this fact or not but I just usually pull them down to their ankles if I can.

That makes no sense whatsoever. Elastic/rubber does not and cannot conduct electricity. Metal does.

[olderguy69]

OK, I just joined to make this comment. By the way, will read from this site often since I find some topics and comments interesting.

However, I am not a nurse or in the medical field in any way other than as an experienced patient.

This topic I find intriguing. Again, having been in surgery as an adult 4 times my personal experience relates well to this topic.

I had a hip replaced, naked. Had a Prostate Imaging, also naked (duh, for very obvious reasons). High Dose Rate Brachytherapy where catheters are stabbed into the prostate, 18 in fact. Two weeks apart for two times. Each time was well over 3 hours. Oh forgot the initial biopsy of my prostate transperineally. Female doctors in all cases, female nurses - well over 20 so far. Just 3 male nurses. PA and NP? 4 so far and all female.

Now I need to state that I am extremely grateful for their help and had no anxiety being told to "remove all clothing" Was told I could keep my T-shirt on however. Catheter twice along the way. Yep I was told what that was but knew before told and no problem.

In my mind I am confused about modesty can enter into surgery. You are draped, contain nothing that the medicals have never seen, remember they have those parts too or are partnered with someone that does. In many cases the area of work will include or be on your "personal parts". Insertion of probes and handling of you is part of the work necessary to help you heal.

In some presentations I have given to CNA classes, virtually all female and under the ages of 19, I have stated with humor that I would have walked naked thru the waiting room to get to the exam room if told I had to. Always gets a laugh. Then I say that I am not an exibionist in any way but if it was necessary for me to get better I would have done it without hesitation. Question the logic supporting the need - yes. but if necessary - no hesitation.

Oh, I fully understand that when under the knife those in the room will do and say things to relieve the tension of the situation. I understand tension is everywhere but when you are being operated on things must go right. Even if that procedure has been done thousands of times, each time is somewhat unique and must be adapted to for success.

Humor can be gross sometimes, crude and rude sometimes. Given my trade repairing equipment in industry "gallows humor". Maybe even insulting or degregating. But if you know and trust your surgeon then they will squelch that and most likely have that as a standard. However if you are out then you will never know.

Finally, in my experience, you are draped in such a way as to be covered to limit your exposure. You do not lay on the table uncovered and naked.

All involved are there to help heal you!