A NEW OPERATING ROOM STRETCHER-TABLE* BY W. Banks Anderson, Jr., MD Two YEARS AGO WHEN WE WERE DESIGNING OUR NEW OPERATING ROOM SYSTEM,
we were looking for an all-purpose operating table that could be used for transporting patients to the operating room as well as for specialized microsurgical procedures. We were not successful in finding such a table. Although a stretcher-table manufactured by the Stryker Company looked as if it might work, it was far too thick with projections underneath which were very inhospitable to the surgeon's knees. This stretcher-table (Figure 1) was modified by removing all of the tubing beneath the mattress carrier and arranging the carrier so that it would slide back and forth. In the operating room the mattress carrier slides toward the surgeon to provide more knee room and when the operation is finished it slides back over the body of the stretcher-table for ease in transporting the patient. All of the table controls were moved to the foot of the unit. Elevation of either the head end or of the foot end, or both, is possible by a hydraulically operated pedal. There are no electrical connections to upset the Underwriter's Laboratories. All four wheels are securely locked by sturdy rings which clamp down on the wheels no matter where they are swiveled. This stretcher-table can be used also as a recovery room bed. It has integral side-rails and IV stand fittings, all of which are out of the surgeon's way. We have used this table for the past two years for all of our ophthalmic surgery both for specialized microsurgical procedures such as vitrectomy, and for the more ordinary procedures such as orbital explorations. We have found it to be quite satisfactory. In light of last night's discussion about dispensing, I should like to state that I do not dispense this stretcher nor do I have any financial interest in the company that makes it. It can be obtained from the Stryker Company and is a modification of their Surgibed table. *Manufactured by the Stryker Corporation, 420 Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan. TR. AM. OPHTH. Soc., vol. LXXIII, 1975
320
All Purpose Operating Table
e
1*
.11
AW
FIGURE 1
Operating room stretcher-table modified with a sliding mattress carrier.
we were looking for an all-purpose operating table that could be used for transporting patients to the operating room as well as for specialized microsurgical procedures. We were not successful in finding such a table. Although a stretcher-table manufactured by the Stryker Company looked as if it might work, it was far too thick with projections underneath which were very inhospitable to the surgeon's knees. This stretcher-table (Figure 1) was modified by removing all of the tubing beneath the mattress carrier and arranging the carrier so that it would slide back and forth. In the operating room the mattress carrier slides toward the surgeon to provide more knee room and when the operation is finished it slides back over the body of the stretcher-table for ease in transporting the patient. All of the table controls were moved to the foot of the unit. Elevation of either the head end or of the foot end, or both, is possible by a hydraulically operated pedal. There are no electrical connections to upset the Underwriter's Laboratories. All four wheels are securely locked by sturdy rings which clamp down on the wheels no matter where they are swiveled. This stretcher-table can be used also as a recovery room bed. It has integral side-rails and IV stand fittings, all of which are out of the surgeon's way. We have used this table for the past two years for all of our ophthalmic surgery both for specialized microsurgical procedures such as vitrectomy, and for the more ordinary procedures such as orbital explorations. We have found it to be quite satisfactory. In light of last night's discussion about dispensing, I should like to state that I do not dispense this stretcher nor do I have any financial interest in the company that makes it. It can be obtained from the Stryker Company and is a modification of their Surgibed table. *Manufactured by the Stryker Corporation, 420 Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan. TR. AM. OPHTH. Soc., vol. LXXIII, 1975
320
All Purpose Operating Table
e
1*
.11
AW
FIGURE 1
Operating room stretcher-table modified with a sliding mattress carrier.
