When does the intraoperative phase of surgery begin?

The intraoperative phase of surgery is defined as the period during which the surgical procedure itself takes place. This phase begins when the patient enters the operating room, as this marks the transition from preoperative preparations to the active surgical environment. It is essential for the surgical team to establish a sterile field and prepare the patient for the procedure, which involves several key steps that occur once the patient is in the operating room.

While anesthesia induction is a crucial component of the surgical process and is a part of the intraoperative phase, it technically happens after the patient has already been positioned in the operating room. The initial incision is a significant event within the intraoperative phase but occurs later. The entry into the operating room is the actual starting point for this phase, as it sets the stage for everything that follows, including anesthesia administration and the surgical procedure itself. Thus, recognizing the moment the patient enters the operating room is essential for understanding the timeline of surgical care.