Surgical First Assistant: The Essentials of Practice

A critical examination of an increasingly vital role in surgical practice

Surgical first assistants (SFAs) are registered nurses or operating department practitioners (ODPs) who play a crucial role in the operating theatre during surgical procedures. Under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon, an SFA provides continuous skilled assistance, performing a range of established responsibilities to assist the surgeon predominantly in the intraoperative phase of the patient’s journey, b...