Observing Surgeries

[jpeterman13]

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[xcrunner423]

This just happened to me today, unfortunately.

I was watching a spay (I've seen at least 20 spays before this without incident). I started to feel light headed and warm and they told me to sit down with my head between my legs. I felt better after that.

There was a little more blood than normal but it didn't gross me out or disturb me. Also I hadn't eaten before and had really horrible cramps and the start of a migraine. Maybe one of these had something to do with it?

However, it made me feel kind of angry with myself for it happening.

I really hope it doesn't happen again.

I just read through this thread and the tips are helpful, thank you!

 

[racccjlm]

Yep, I've had the same thing happen to me...can't really give any more advice than what's been given...eat before, etc. I've watched lots of surgeries and for some reason this happened to me a few months back --- it came on so fast that I barely had time to get out of the surgery room before I did faint...soooo embarrassed. I'm not at all squeamish with blood/suturing etc. either. Don't worry about it! Just be safe --- if you feel something like this again, grab a chair! 🙂

 

[Coquette22]

I had it happen on my first surgery observation. Wasn't the first surgery of the day, the vet had already done 3 spays that morning, without incident from me. Get to the final surgery of the morning, a stenotic nares operation on a Boston Terrier. I felt a little faint, walked out of the OR and dropped like a stone. 😳 I've got hypotension, so I have to watch it carefully. The vet and the techs attributed it to being on my feet too long with nothing in my stomach. No problems since though!

 

[clairbear]

I had it happen yesterday while I was watching my goat have a C-section. It was the third surgery that I have watched in person (her other C-section and a cat spay), but the vet had me, my brother, and my mom helping him this time because he needed help lifting, she was a bit big for the table, and he only had one tech there. She kept on opening her eyes, screamed a few times, kicked, and they kept on turning the gas up; I really hope its not common for them to do that. I was fine watching her C-section last year with live kids (and without her obvious pain during the surgery), and for the first part of this one. However, after I found out that the kid was dead and he started stiching her up, I started feeling really hot, nauseous, and lightheaded. I ended up leaving for a few minutes and coming back, and then I felt a bit better. Needless to say, its the end of her career as a mother.

The vet still said I could shadow him when I can.

 

[168135]

Chewing gum helps... my mom is a nurse and she suggested it 🙂

 

[Kaydalia]

So long time lurker (first time poster here) but I just had to reply to this one...

I've worked at a small animal practice for 6 years and have seen hundreds of surgeries. This kind of thing happens to interns all the time and is not a big deal at all... most of them get over it fairly quickly and never have a problem again. I even know of students in vet school who have completely passed out, multiple times, and have gone on to have successful careers, even with surgery.

So yea... like everyone said - don't freak out. No big deal. Most vets appreciate it when you recognize the warning signs and respond accordingly.

Additional sidenote - Like I said, I've assisted on hundreds of surgeries and never had this problem before. But a couple of weeks ago I actually scrubbed in for the first time on a forelimb amputation. Unfortunately I did have to scrub out after about an hour and 45. The gore wasn't an issue (in fact cranking a scapula out of the way so the dvm could tie off arteries and such was fairly fantastic), I have seen amputations and plenty of intense procedures. What I didn't appreciate was how different surgery was when you're scrubbed in... cap, gown, mask are all routine for assistants, but for sterility purposes you have to stand close to the sterile field and remain there if you're scrubbed in. There's no walking around to take vitals or grab suture, no grabbing a drink, etc... Additionally, I never realized how much I would miss being able to adjust my mask!! I had eaten (thankfully) but I did get overheated and I was dehydrated. The killer was just that I wasn't getting enough oxygen... the mask was too tight and I should have asked the asst to fix it early on, but alas... you live and learn. Plus - there was definitely some added adrenaline in my system so I'm sure that didn't help!

I was fine after a short break and some Diet Coke - but I just wanted to note that this kind of thing can sneak up on anyone in the right set of circumstances. 🙂

 

[eventualeventer]

XCrunner, don't be angry with yourself. There are things you can do to try to prevent it, but you ultimately can't do anything about it if your body decides it wants to crap out! It's much better to sit down than to fall, hurt yourself, and give the surgeon a heart attack or hit something.