Ms. Tanaka: “I spent so much time and money on these nails! Is it okay if I don’t remove them before my egg retrieval procedure?”
While reviewing preoperative hygiene instructions and explaining the surgical process, nurse Chen Guan-Ru at Becoming Reproductive Center noticed that Ms. Tanaka had gel nails on both hands. To ensure her safety during surgery, she was advised to remove the nail coating from at least one finger on each hand before the procedure. Gel nails create a relatively thick layer over the natural nail, which may interfere with the response of the “pulse oximeter” used during surgery. This could make it more difficult for the anesthesiologist to accurately monitor the patient’s vital signs during the procedure. Therefore, part of the nail coating should be removed before the day of surgery to avoid affecting anesthesia and surgical safety.
In addition to checking whether the nail coating has been removed, nurses carefully verify and cross-check information before surgery, including basic personal information, medical history, fasting duration, and whether accessories, contact lenses, and dentures have been removed.
📌How long should I fast before surgery?
－Anesthesia may increase the likelihood of nausea or vomiting during surgery. If the stomach is not empty, food or stomach contents may enter the airway and cause breathing difficulties or aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, patients should refrain from eating or drinking for at least 8 hours before surgery.
📌Why do accessories need to be removed before surgery?
－If you are wearing metal accessories（such as rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, or body piercings）, the metal can conduct electricity and may increase the risk of burns during surgery. Therefore, all accessories should be removed before the procedure.
📌Why do contact lenses and dentures need to be removed?
－Contact lenses may potentially injure the eyes during surgery. Dentures may also become dislodged during the procedure and enter the airway or esophagus, which can be dangerous. Therefore, both should be removed before surgery.
📌Why must the trigger injection be given at the scheduled time, and why is it important not to be late on the day of surgery?
－Egg retrieval generally needs to be performed within 34〜36 hours after the trigger injection. The reason punctuality is so important is related to the timing of ovulation. If too much time passes, such as around 40 hours, the eggs may already have been released into the abdominal cavity. Therefore, patients must arrive at the clinic on time on the day of surgery. Otherwise, egg retrieval may no longer be possible as planned, affecting the effectiveness of treatment.
📝For surgery to be performed safely, thorough preoperative preparation is essential. Cooperation between medical staff and patients is also necessary to ensure that the procedure proceeds smoothly.
