Poll re: shoes in the OR

[OphthoBean]

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When in surgery, do you keep your shoes on or remove them to operate foot pedals (scope, phaco, etc)?

I was trained to kick my shoes off to operate the pedals so I wear my rubbery birkenstock clogs (and some socks of course) for ease of removal. I was wondering operating in socks is the norm or the exception.

 

[7ontheline]

I can't imagine operating with shoes on. I operate in socks.

 

[rubensan]

i can't imagine operating the foot pedals for the scope and phaco with my shoes on.

 

[ckyuen]

I like shoes off, the only guys I have seen keep shoes on are the guys doing 5 or more cases an hour.

 

[OphthoBean]

Thanks for voting and your replies. Anyone else who operates please vote too. 🙂

 

[theeyeboy]

During my residency socks were standard phaco attire for me. This is despite the fact I had an attending that could do swift cases in her high heals. The first OR day of my fellowship I was kindly told "no one operates in this OR in socks, it is the OR not a feakin' pajama party." I promptly went out and bought the best OR shoes I could find, settling on some Nike 10/2s. After a few cases it became second nature. Now I can do vitretomies in moon boots if I have to, and I actually prefer my feet to be shod. No more treading though that pool of BSS in my socks...

 

[Photon Catchers]

Since I am a 1st year ophtho res, I am at the whim of my attendings and generally follow their routine. Our attendings are fast and fly from case to case, so when one stops to take off shoes (which I prefer), I will take mine off. If not, I hate having them wait for me as I find a tidy spot for my shoes (I'm slow enough with scope and seat adjustments as it is). One attending wears these soft "surf shoe" things that he can feel the pedal with, so doesn't stop to take them off. When I am with him, I keep my Danskos on, and end up looking at the floor a lot! 😳