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The American Board of Surgical Assistants defines First
and Second Assistants as follows: First
Assistant The first assistant on a surgical procedure is
defined as the individual providing primary assistance to the primary (main)
surgeon, during a surgical procedure. This individual CANNOT be involved in any other role or function, during the
surgical procedure (i.e. first or second scrub and/or passing instruments). This
individual must also be listed on the operative record as the first assistant, not
as a first or second scrub! Although descriptions may vary from institution
to institution, the role of the first assistant requires active participation,
during the surgical procedure. This involves providing exposure, hemostasis,
tying or sewing plus other functions (excluding acting as the scrub nurse or
technician) as determined by the primary surgeon, responsible for the patient
and procedure. An individual may not act as a first assistant,
for example, on a simple hernia repair or similar case with only themselves and
the surgeon. This is a surgeon/scrub role and not a surgeon/assistant
role. Second
Assistant
This individual is not the primary assistant to the primary surgeon and is hereby defined and designated as a retractor holder. An assistant as defined under this section does not qualify as a first assistant. Important to Note
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