Chapter 3: Table of contents
Towel Clamp:
Towel clamps are introduced through the ground drapes (at a corner where two drapes meet) and through the patient’s skin in order to securely hold the surgical drape during a surgical procedure. Towel clamps can also be used to secure suction lines, electrocautery cables, and power equipment lines to drapes but this is less desirable because it creates a hole in the drape in an area that may not have been surgically prepared. Towel clamps are considered contaminated once they have penetrated a drape. Therefore, towel clamps must be discarded and replaced with new ones if repositioning is required.
Backhaus:
Backhaus towel clamps are most commonly used to secure drapes to the patient’s skin. These have sharp points and are available in varying sizes.
Lorna Clamp:
Lorna clamps are used to secure equipment (e.g. suction lines and cautery cords) to drapes because they are non-perforating and therefore minimize the risk of contamination of the surgical field.
Roeder Clamp:
Roeder towel clamps resemble Backhaus towel clamps, except for the presence of ball stops located on the shaft of the claws that act to limit the depth of penetration of the tissues.
Jones Towel Clamp:
The Jones towel clamp is a small and lightweight towel clamp ideal for delicate procedures (e.g. ophthalmic procedures).