How to Use Incision Assist: Dive into Protocols

On this page, you will learn more about protocols.

Open the app and make sure you’re on the Browse page.

For example, let’s explore a protocol from trauma surgery. Scroll down a bit and click Trauma Surgery, then click on the Ankle Fracture Open Reduction and Internal Fixation protocol. Here you'll find a list of surgeons performing this procedure, along with the standard protocol and the Curated by Incision section. For this example, we'll click on Dr. T. Graham.

1. Understanding the Protocol Format

Each protocol follows the same format:

• Your personal notes
  
  

• General Information
  
  

• Anesthesia

• OR Setup and Patient Positioning        

• Materials  
  
  

• Draping
  
  

• Surgical steps
  
  

• Additional information
  
  

• Postoperative instructions
  
  

The orange dot signals a surgeon’s preference different from the standard protocol.

We have covered the notes section in a separate article. Click here to learn more about the My Notes section.

2. General Information & Anesthesia

Clicking on General Information provides details about the procedure. To go back, click the arrow on the top left. Clicking on Anesthesia provides details related to anesthesia about the procedure. To go back, click the arrow on the top left.

3. OR Setup & Patient Preparation

If available, select the left or right side version of the protocol to see further details. Scroll down for details of patient positioning.

You can switch between patient positioning and room setup in the middle of the page.

An exciting feature of the Incision Assist app is the 3D visualization of the OR setup.

Click Navigate in 3D to experience the operating room and patient setup in an interactive 3D environment.

You can now see the OR setup and patient positioning in 3D specific to this procedure and surgeon. Swipe your finger to turn the 3D model as you wish. Pinch the screen to zoom in and out.

Click Patient at the bottom right to focus only on the patient positioning.

To go back, click the arrow on the top left twice.

4. Materials

Click Materials for a rundown of all the items needed for the procedure.
The order of the list is based on your hospital’s preference cards.

You can change the order by switching between Default Order, By Category, and Hold

Each material comes with a picture so you know exactly what item you need.

Click Back to return to the protocol page.

5. Draping

Click on Draping to see how the patient should be draped. Hit the back button on the top left to return to the previous menu.6. Surgical Steps

In the Surgical Steps tab, you can find a detailed explanation of all the steps of this procedure, including images. Hit the back button to return.

7. Additional Information & Postoperative Instructions

Click Additional Information and Postoperative Instructions to ensure you’re well prepared for the procedure and know what to do afterward.

8. Suggest Improvement

An essential feature is the Suggest Improvement button at the bottom of each page in a protocol.

Here you can suggest a change, whether it’s a surgeon’s preference, a material update, or if you’ve spotted a bug in the app.

Click Suggest Improvement, choose an “About”  subject, describe the change, and hit Send feedback.

Your feedback goes to your team lead for preference card-related changes or to Incision for technical feedback.

Check out our other articles for insights into the Devices section, Anatomy Models, Updates, and My Notes.