Operating Theatre Technique

BOOK REVIEW

OPERATING THEATRE TECHNIQUE by Raymond J . Brigden, S.R.N., 580 pages, Edinburgh and London, E. & S. Livingstone Limited, 1962. Price: $14.50. Available from The Williams & Wilkins Company, Baltimore 2, Maryland. This book is designed to be used as a textbook for nurses, technicians, medical students, house surgeons and others associated with the Operating Theatre. The author is the Department Theatre Charge Nurse of the Orthopaedic and Accident Departments, Coventry, England. The content, comprised of 30 chapters, deals with many phases of operating room work. The first chapters give an overall view of the physical layout and design of a theatre unit. Safe practices pertaining to an operating room are examined in the middle portion of the book. The greatest number of chapters, however, are devoted to the surgical procedures used in many types of operations. A few references are listed for

May-June 1963

each chapter; the majority are books and periodicals published in England. The book is written in great detail and in certain instances includes information which is not pertinent. For example, the author gives technical information using diagrams and lengthy explanations for the maintenance and use of electrical equipment. The necessity of this type of information, in such a book, is questionable. The chapter on sterilization is not all inclusive. Some methods discussed are outmoded; others are not consistent with modern technical advances. The section on radioactive materials, which may not always be found in a textbook of this kind, is comprehensive and en-

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lightening. The subject on static electricity is discussed at length. This information is very valuable. The general format for the chapters on Operative Procedures gives the type of operation, a short definition, the position most frequently used, and a brief outline of procedure. The all inclusive treatment of instruments in these chapters, as well as in the supplemental listing of general and specialty instruments shown in Appendix 11, are extremely useful as reference material. In this section on operative procedures, the author emphasizes general and orthopedic surgery

covering the subject matter in great detail. There is no mention of open heart surgery nor is pediatrics discussed except for limited treatment in the section on cardiovascular surgery. The author has presented a thorough and comprehensive guide in operating room techniques, applicable for use as a reference and textbook. Frances E. Reeser, R.N. Operating Room Supervisor Bronx Veterans' Hospital Bronx, New York

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Reference (1) Spruldinn, E . H.: Chemlcal Dlsinfeciion. Presented at SetOn Hall College of Medicine and Dentistry. Jersey City, N. 1.. April 1. 1958.

BARD-PARKER COMPANY. INC I Danbury. Conn

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