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Rigid Endoscopy 27

powered equipment, if required, are switched on. The camera head and
cable, if not sterile, are covered with a protective sterile sleeve and the
telescope attached. The light cable is connected to the light source but
is switched on only when the surgeon is ready. A dedicated anaesthetist
– or a nurse in charge only of anaesthesia – is advisable in any endoscopic
procedure, to monitor the patient properly and to allow the surgeon to
concentrate only on endoscopy.
Endoscopic surgery often requires at least one scrubbed surgical assist-
ant, to pass instruments and to hold either the endoscope or instruments
during surgical procedures. This role is often taken by a veterinary nurse
or technician. During arthroscopy, help in positioning the patient intra-
operatively is also essential, in order to increase joint space and improve
the visualisation of intra-articular structures. In most laparoscopic and
thoracoscopic procedures, the primary surgeon cannot act also as laparo-
scope operator; consequently, a team of three people is necessary (surgeon,
camera operator and trolley nurse). The assistant in charge of the laparo-
scope should attempt to maintain a constant view of the surgical field
and the surgeon should be able to visualise instruments entering through
the cannulae without the need to move the laparoscope from the surgical
field.
After the procedure, the nursing staff is in charge of cleaning, sterilis-
ing and storing instruments and equipment. All the components and
instruments need to be checked for correct function, and the operating-
room staff communicate with equipment suppliers to obtain technical
support and replacement if needed.

Further reading

Beale, B.S., Hulse, D.A., Schulz, K. and Whitney, W. O. (2003) Small Animal
Arthroscopy. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA.
Chamness, C.J. (1999) Endoscopic instrumentation. In Small Animal Endoscopy,
Tams, T.R. (ed.), pp. 1–16. Mosby, St Louis, MO.
Chamness, C.J. (2008) Instrumentation. In BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline
Endoscopy and Endosurgery, Lhermette, P. and Sobel, D. (eds), pp. 11–30.
British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Gloucester.
Freeman, L.J. (ed.) (1998) Veterinary Endosurgery. Mosby, St Louis, MO.
Kudnig, S.T., Monnet, E. and Riquelme, M. (2003) Effect of one-lung ventilation
on oxygen delivery in anesthetized dogs with an open thoracic cavity. Ameri-
can Journal of Veterinary Research 64, 443–448.
Kudnig, S.T., Monnet, E., Riquelme, M., Gaynor, J.S., Corliss, D. and Salman,
M.D. (2004) Cardiopulmonary effects of thoracoscopy in anesthetized normal
dogs. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia 31, 121–128.
Lhermette, P. and Sobel, D. (eds) (2008) BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline
Endoscopy and Endosurgery. British Small Animal Veterinary Association,
Gloucester.