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312 Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

• Attaching equipment associated with the umbilical
cord. Light source, air pump for insufflation, suction
pump, and fluid receptacle. Rigid, semi‐rigid, or
flexible endoscope suitable for procedure and
patient.
• Accessory equipment will also depend on the
procedure such as cytology brush, coagulating
electrodes, dislodger, forceps, biopsy forceps,
grasping forceps, needle for injection/aspiration,
scissors, trocar, and various snares.
• A basic surgical pack, a towel pack, and surgical drape
(see Chapter 14) may also be required together with
a bottle filled with sterile normal saline for irrigation.
If the procedure is via the oral cavity, an oral
speculum of suitable size for the patient will be
required. If tissue specimens are to be collected
during the procedure, collect appropriate materials
(e.g., slides, coverslips, formalin jars, and culture
media) labels and laboratory forms, sharpie marker,
and ballpoint pen. Label with patient/client name
and date.
During the actual procedure, the technician will assist
the veterinarian through patient monitoring, helping with
instruments and collecting tissue samples, and providing
documentation (working the photographic and video
equipment). If a licensed or specially training assistant is
not available, the assistant might monitor the patient and
assist with sample collection and preparation. Special
training is usually available through the endoscope manu-
facturer. Take advantage of it if at all possible.
FIGURE 16.9 Basic endoscopy video camera system. Note the endo- During gastroscopy, the technician or assistant
scope hanging from the hook. Courtesy of Karl Storz Veterinary observes the animal for excessive distention of the
Endoscopy‐America, Inc., Goleta, CA. stomach with gas or air, which in turn impairs respiratory
function.
Table 16.1 illustrates the more common endoscopic
procedures and the location in which the endoscope is
used. The assistant can facilitate endoscopy during both Endoscopy: Post Procedure
the preparation phase and the post‐procedural phase of
the endoscopic procedure. During the preparation During the post‐procedure phase, the technician is busy
phase, the assistant is helpful by aiding in instrument set‐ caring for the patient and the assistant begins cleaning
up and patient preparation and restraint. Patients are the equipment immediately. That equipment is cleaned
usually heavily sedated or anesthetized. Refer to immediacy cannot be overemphasized. The endoscope
Chapter 14 to review the procedure for anesthetizing a will have mucus and fluids on and around it which will
patient. dry and harden very quickly if not removed, making
Thoracoscopic and laparoscopic procedures require cleaning more difficult. The hollow tubes and valves are
a surgical incision and, to prevent infection, it is impor- so small that foreign materials quickly dry on them mak-
tant that a surgical scrub be completed whenever the ing them inoperable.
skin and musculature are penetrated to access a body All of the parts are fragile and very expensive. Do not
cavity with endoscopic equipment. Patient position risk damaging the endoscope by forcibly trying to clear the
depends on the procedure to be performed. Table 16.1 channel with a small brush or applying too much pressure
includes the positions required for the various to work stuck valves. Careful attention to detail in cleaning
procedures. the accessory instruments is important as the hinges must
Endoscopic procedures require special instruments. remain freely movable. The thin wire must never be kinked
Depending upon the procedure you may lay out antici- or bent in any way. Handling requires that the endoscope
pated equipment: is never bumped or hit against a hard object or dropped