Apply basic surgical techniques in general surgery.

Application should include a description of the types of procedures classified as general surgery; the selection and description of equipment and instruments needed in general surgery; and an explanation of the basic techniques performed by surgical technologists in general surgery procedures (e.g., an appendectomy):

• Techniques may include either traditional open-incision surgery or laparoscopic surgery.
• Equipment for general surgery typically includes lighting equipment, a suctioning apparatus, and hemostatic equipment, such as an ESU. Laparoscopic surgery also includes a camera.
• Depending on the surgery, instruments may include the major laparotomy set, the general surgery minor set, and other more specialized tools. Both the major laparotomy set and the minor set include one or more suction tips, a variety of scissors and forceps, a clamp, knife and needle holders, and retractors, among other instruments. Laparoscopic surgery requires more slender tools than those used in traditional open incision surgery.

Process/Skill Questions:

• How is general surgery similar to and different from specialized surgery?
• How is open-incision surgery similar to and different from laparoscopic surgery?
• What are the shapes and purposes of the various types of scissors, forceps, and retractors used in general surgery? Laparoscopic surgery?
• How does the concept “form follows function” apply to basic surgical instruments?