Surgical Director Frank Littek sets a quick pace as he walks through the central surgical suite at Lukas Hospital in Neuss. In spite of all the hustle and bustle, everyone seems quite collected and well-practiced. This is typical of everyday activities at the teaching hospital associated with the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf. This unit serves up to twelve thousand patients each year, across a spectrum running from general and post-accident trauma surgery to urology and gynecology. “We can do everything needed, with the exception of neurosurgical procedures,” says Frank Littek. “We are set up to cover almost any requirement with about sixty physicians and surgeons from a variety of disciplines, a nursing staff of about twenty, and fifteen anesthesia nurses.” In its efforts to ensure that surgical quality continues to advance, the hospital has invested in its own future – in new operating tables and lights made by TRUMPF.

Greater ergonomics in the OR

To ensure smooth functioning, a large monitor screen shows which ORs are occupied and the starting times and the personnel involved in the operations. The “control center” is also the first stop for nurse Klaus-Peter Ludwig. He is responsible for preparing the table tops and positioning the patients for each operation. He sees working with TruSystem 7500 as a “huge step forward.” “On the one hand, assembling the table is far simpler than with the previous tables”, he explains, “and on the other hand there are some significant improvements for the patients, as well”. During gynecological or urologic interventions, for instance, an extra leg plate makes it possible to move patients to the OR on their backs. Only then, after anesthesia has been administered, are they placed in the lithotomy position. “That is of course far more pleasant,” notes Klaus-Peter Ludwig.

That the operating tables are easy to control is confirmed by surgical nurse Annemarie Kern. The shuttle can also be moved longitudinally and laterally with great ease. “There is far less rotation — and that is really a great simplification.” Another advantage: the surgical table can support patients weighing as much as 360 kilograms. “In the past we had to transfer very obese patients to another hospital – today we can treat them ourselves.” Also, the new, softer padding system has quickly demonstrated its value since patients can be positioned with greater comfort.

An intestinal operation has just been completed in OR 3. The new operating tables make a good impression both in conventional surgery and in laparoscopic procedures, says the surgeon Dr. Bernhard Lammers. “The configuration can be changed quickly and that makes for ideal adjustment.” He is also excited about the new iLED operating light. “Especially when we’re working with the surgical loupes they ensure optimal illumination deep inside tissues. And what’s more, they look kind of ‘spacey’,” Dr. Lammers adds with a grin.

Initially, the iLED is being used in just three operating rooms but in the course of refitting they will ultimately be purchased for all seven ORs. This is — according to Frank Littek — simply the best surgical light the hospital has ever had. “With these units we are ideally equipped for any and every requirement.”