Hand signals in surgery depict a form of non verbal communication among the scrubbed surgical team. Surgical instruments should be carefully passed into the hand of the surgeon without the surgeon looking at the direction of the scrub nurse, of course with the exception of surgical scalpels. Mastery of these hand signals prevent distractions and promote efficiency in the OR.
Usually the surgeon in the operating room would just say the name of the instruments (for example Babcock and Allis).
The hand signals in the operating room is not being used at all times. Sometimes, the surgeon would just tell you the name of the instrument in the entire operation. Some would use the hand signal only for some instruments.
The hand signals in the operating room are easy to memorize. The hand signals usually mimic they way the instruments are being used so you’ll always have a clue as to what the surgeon is asking for in the operating room.