Medical Equipment

The use of operating room surgical tables can be dated all the way back to the 18th century. Doctors used “surgical chairs” and restraints to hold patients up when they would become unconscious during surgery. Lithotomy tables came shortly after and were able to hold patients in a semi-vertical position allowing doctors to restrain the arms and hands; soon thereafter, doctors and surgeons used long wooden benches supported by adjustable legs and backrests. These benches were covered in a wool rug or horsehair mattress covered in a waterproof covering. Thankfully, technology has come a long way and we are far from chairs with restraints and horsehair mattresses.