Before placing a knee implant on the sterile field during total knee replacement, what should the surgical technologist do?

Before placing a knee implant on the sterile field during total knee replacement, it is essential to verify the implant size and expiration date with the nurse and surgeon. This step is crucial for several reasons. First, confirming the correct size of the implant ensures proper fit and alignment, which are critical for the procedure's success and the patient's recovery. An incorrect implant size can lead to complications such as instability or improper knee function after surgery.

Additionally, checking the expiration date is vital to ensure that the implant is safe for use. Implants typically have a shelf life, after which they may not maintain their integrity or sterility. An expired implant could pose risks to the patient, including infection and poor surgical outcomes. Therefore, this verification process acts as a safety measure to enhance patient care and surgical effectiveness.

While ensuring sterility and consulting with the surgeon about the type of implant are also important factors in the surgical process, the specific act of verifying size and expiration is directly tied to the operational readiness and safety of the implant before it is used in surgery. Thus, this action outlines a systematic, collaborative approach to improving surgical safety and outcomes.