🩺 Draping

Draping is the sterile technique of covering the patient and surrounding areas with sterile drapes to establish a sterile surgical field and prevent contamination during a procedure.

• Isolate the surgical site from non-sterile areas
• Minimize the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs)
• Provide a clear, sterile working field for the surgical team

• Uses sterile drapes, made of cloth or disposable materials
• Drapes are fluid-resistant or absorbent, depending on type
• Applied after skin antisepsis and once the area is completely dry

1. Confirm skin antiseptic is dry (especially alcohol-based)
2. Use sterile gloves and instruments
3. Begin draping from the incision site outward
4. Cover all adjacent non-sterile surfaces
5. Avoid shifting drapes once placed

• Requires precise exposure of cranium or spine
• Specialized fenestrated drapes often used
• Draping must allow for microscope or neuronavigation access

• Wet antiseptic under drapes can cause chemical burns
• A breach in drape integrity = break in sterility
• Drapes must not be reused or repositioned once contaminated