What should the CST always have ready for abdominal cases?

For abdominal cases, the presence of wet sponges is crucial because they serve multiple important functions. Wet sponges are essential for maintaining a clear surgical field by absorbing blood and other fluids, which helps in visualizing the operative area accurately. They also help in preventing contamination and maintaining hemostasis. The use of wet sponges is particularly important in abdominal surgery where there may be significant fluid loss and the potential for blood accumulation.

While items like electrocautery devices, scissors, and suction devices are indeed important in a surgical setting, they do not fulfill the same role in terms of maintaining a clear and clean surgical site as effectively as wet sponges do. Having these sponges readily available allows the surgical team to manage the environment effectively during challenging procedures.