A Quick Look at the 4 Different Types of Surgical Tables in the Market

In many aspects, an operation theater is similar to a war room. The room is equipped with various tools, equipment, machines, and technologies that help doctors and surgeons to carry out different surgeries successfully and with ease. These machines and equipment are specifically designed in such ways so as to provide comfort to the patients and aid the doctors to perform different medical tests and conduct various medical procedures and operations efficiently. One of the most important equipment found in any operation theater or medical procedure room is the surgical table.

What is a Surgical Table and What are its Types?

Surgical table or operating table, as it is sometimes called, is a table on which the patient lies down to undergo a medical test, procedure, or an operation. Almost all medical institutions like hospitals, clinics, and even medical colleges and universities have surgical tables as an important apparatus for examining patients and performing required medical procedures. Though stationery operating tables are also widely available in the surgical table market, modern operating tables are generally mobile in nature.

Over the years, as sophisticated medical procedures have diversified to cater to the specific ailment, the types of surgical tables have also grown in number. Some of these types of surgical tables are given below:

General Surgery Tables:

General surgery table is the most common type of surgical tables in the market. These tables are used for major surgeries such as cardiovascular operations or pediatric medical procedures and surgeries. The most basic general surgery table has three components: a table top, a transporter, and a sturdy table column supporting and connecting the two. Some of the fundamental features of a general surgery table are adjustability, stability, and imaging support.

Imaging Tables:

Imaging tables are surgical tables designed and manufactured specifically for medical tests like MRI, fluoroscopy, 3D imaging, etc. Though general surgery tables provide imaging support, there aren’t specifically designed for these major medical imaging procedures; rather, general surgery tables facilitate working of such medical devices or apparatus that are needed while performing a surgery.

Urology and Cysto Tables:

Urology and cysto tables are used by medical professionals and surgeons for performing delicate medical operations like brachytherapy. The reason behind doctors using urology and cysto tables for delicate medical procedures is that these surgical tables offer much more precision control while performing the surgery. Increased precision control has two advantages: one, it helps in increasing the efficiency of the surgery by reducing the scope of errors and secondly, it reduces the time required for surgery, thus bringing down the possibility of post-surgery infection.

Orthopedic Tables:

One of the primary reasons behind the increasing use of orthopedic tables is the growing incidence of ailments like osteoporosis, arthritis, dislocations and fractures, etc., across the world. These surgical tables offer support and comfort to the patients while undergoing treatments like hip or knee replacement surgeries, shoulder surgeries, etc. Also, these tables, for spinal cord related injuries and procedures, offer different positions to the patient as per the patient-doctor requirement. Easy access to X-ray imaging and other similar technological devices is another feature of these operating tables.

In Summary

The dual role played by surgical tables in offering comfort to patients and ease of working for doctors has made them a must-have equipment in all medical institutions. Moreover, the durability offered by some of the leading operating tables in the market has further increased the trust and demand for these tables. Also, taking a cue from the pandemic, which saw a huge pressure being put on the healthcare system, several hospitals are scaling up their infrastructure which is further expected to push the demand for these tables in the near future.

About the Author(s)

Princy A. J

Princy holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. University at Chennai, India. After a successful academic record, she pursued her passion for writing. A thorough professional and enthusiastic writer, she enjoys writing on various categories and advancements in the global industries. She plays an instrumental role in writing about current updates, news, blogs, and trends.