Bookwalter retractors

[sharann, BSN, RN]

Ok, sorry if this is spelled incorrectly, but is there any reason a competent general surgeon should need these for a routine appendectomy on a small child? Thanks.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

(You spelled it right)

I can't imagine why a 22-26 piece (HEAVY) retractor would be needed for that, unless the person is extremely overweight, and even then that thing would be in the way. The only thing we've used for retractors, aside from small deavers, Richardsons, or USs, would be the O'Connor, or the interchangeable Balfour.

[shodobe]

I have been doing appys for almost 30 years and with a variety of different surgeons, no Bookwalter or self retaing retractor at all. Just the competent hands of their scrub.

[sharann, BSN, RN]

That's what I was afraid of. We have a guy who asks for these for every case, child or adult. The OR crew makes sure the Bookwalters are always "dirty" and not able to be gotten.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

He ever said why he 'needs' this retractor?

[ortess1971]

That's what I was afraid of. We have a guy who asks for these for every case, child or adult. The OR crew makes sure the Bookwalters are always "dirty" and not able to be gotten.

It's a shame that OR staff has to treat some of these docs like they're kids and fib to them..We only use Bookwalters on belly cases(and even then, not all of them), AAA's, splenectomies. This guy sounds a wee bit insecure..Is he just out of residency?

[mcmike55]

I agree with Shodobe, (and who wouldn't), most every Appy I've ever seen done a Rue (sp?) retractor, a devor or two, maybe a rich, and good scrub tech to hold should be all you need.

Now, that said, if the pt weighs about 400 lbs, or something like that, well that's different.

There's no way I would open a BookWalter without thinking twice.

It's way to heavy to just be tossing it out there, and think of the clean up time.

I assume your doc is just used to having it, or having more people to retract, no extras, open the BookWalter, I guess.

We almost never open the BookWalter unless it's something bad like.......oh wait, I'm on call,,,,I'm not going to say any more....bad luck ya know!!!!

Mike

[sharann, BSN, RN]

He asks for them for a 45 pound 5 year old, I swear! He is not new at this, just very unskilled. Nicest guy you would ever meet, just stay off his OR table.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

We have one of those (he doesn't ask for a Bookwalter though).

That retractor would impair him even further by being in his way.

What does the OR supervisor say about this?

[sharann, BSN, RN]

We have one of those (he doesn't ask for a Bookwalter though).

That retractor would impair him even further by being in his way.

What does the OR supervisor say about this?

"Hide the Bookwalters ladies!":wink2:

[tessa_RN]

Asking for a Bookwalter on a 5 year old appy is a little extreme..I mean its bigger than the kid..You guys are doing a great job hiding it from him..:)

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

It really shouldn't take hiding it from him to get him to not use it.

Wonder if any of his collegues are aware of him doing it?