Lab 1 . Part 6 - Towel Clamps

• used to secure the drapes to the animal and ancillary equipment to the drapes

Skills to Practice

1. wide-based tripod grip
2. smooth opening and closing of the ratchet mechanism
3. secure clamping of corners of drapes to "patient"

• used to secure the drapes to the animal and ancillary equipment to the drapes to achieve a sterile field
• variety of sizes
• tips are curved to improve visability and allow the handles to lie flat on the patient

Backhaus Towel Clamps

• wider grasping surface covered by multiple blunted teeth
• used to secure ancillary equipment (eg. tubes) to drapes
• provide secure hold without perforating drape
• should not be used on skin as cause significant crush injury

Edna or Lorna towel clamp

• wider grasping surface covered by multiple blunted teeth
• used to secure ancillary equipment (eg. tubes) to drapes
• provide secure hold without perforating drape
• should not be used on skin as cause significant crush injury

There are 2 types of towel clamps:

• holding towel clamp with wide-based tripod grip
• efficient opening and closing of the ratchet locking mechanism
• secure clamping of corners of drapes to "patient"

Practice:

1. pick up and put down clamp using wide-based tripod grip until is natural
2. practice opening and closing ratchet locking mechanism until smooth and quick
3. cover each side of a pillow with a towel leaving an open square in centre - grasp 2 towels where they overlap at the corner with towel clamp penetrating the underlying pillow

• held with curve pointing towards drape using wide-based tripod grip
• usually position first at corners of draped area where two drapes overlap
• penetrate both drapes and sufficient skin so doesn't pull through skin if drapes moved
• plan placement so do not penetrate any vital structures or interfere with surgery
• add additional clamps so drape securely covers unprepared skin
• the tips are considered contaminated once penetrate skin
  • use new towel clamp if need to replace

Using towel clamps