What instrument should the surgical technologist have available for a total hip arthroplasty when the surgeon is ready to start the opening and expose the femoral canal?

In a total hip arthroplasty, once the surgeon is ready to open the surgical site and expose the femoral canal, the T-handle instrument becomes critical. The T-handle is specifically designed to assist with the insertion of reamers or other instruments used to prepare the femoral canal for the implant. Its design offers the leverage and control needed for precise manipulation during this part of the procedure.

Using a T-handle allows the surgeon to accurately advance instruments into the femoral canal, ensuring proper alignment and depth necessary for optimal implant placement. This is crucial for the stability and longevity of the hip prosthesis.

In contrast, other instruments like scalpels, artery forceps, or hemostatic clamps serve different functions in surgery. A scalpel is used for making incisions and would not be appropriate once the deeper structures need to be accessed. Artery forceps are utilized for grasping or clamping blood vessels, not for exposing or preparing bone. Hemostatic clamps are primarily intended for controlling bleeding and would not assist in the specific task of femoral canal preparation.