BBC Gt Ormond St Hospital - Surgeon not wearing mask

[phil-k]

In this programme earlier in the week it showed two surgeons operating on a boys stomach, one of the surgeons was not wearing a mask during the operation while everyone else around him in the operating theatre was.
I thought the idea was for them to wear a mask so they didnt pass germs from the saliva in their mouths to the patient while they were opened up

 

[Rich_L]

Wearing masks in surgery started going out of fashion a number of years ago when numerous studies showed that in most circumstances the chance of infection is no lower when wearing a mask and in some cases is actually higher.

 

[iamtheoneneo]

I think once you cut someone open and expose their internals to the worlds pollutants , wearing a mask to stop germs seems pretty superficial to me.

 

[Sefirosu]

in some cases is actually higher.

 

[koolpc]

The surgeon had just cleaned his teeth so it was ok!!

 

[anything I don't mind]

I thought it was for the protection of the surgeon in case blood spurts out of the victim on to his face, which could be contaminated with a virus.

 

[PermaBanned]

I thought it was for the protection of the surgeon in case blood spurts out of the victim on to his face, which could be contaminated with a virus.

I remember something along those lines too, but then if it's a personal choice i don't see much of a problem. Doubtless some surgeons feel that wearing one is too irritating and makes them more likely to make a mistake.

 

[One More Solo]

Surface inches from your face being nicely warmed and moistened (eww) by your breath, sounds like a good breeding ground for bacteria to me.