Before we can get going, we need to make sure that we have done the appropriate preparations. First of all, you will want to wear loose clothing that will not constrict your arm movement. You will probably get a lot of blood on yourself, so don’t wear your Sunday best! You should also wear comfortable shoes that you don’t mind standing in for several hours. Avoid open toes to prevent injury (in case you drop a sharp instrument).

A solid even surface, like a dining room table or hood of a large truck, will provide a good makeshift operating table. Cover it with a layer of fresh Saran wrap to ensure sterility. You will also want a nice surface upon which to place your surgical instruments. An end table or overturned cardboard box should work nicely.

For this procedure you will need to have readily available:

• One MicroAire Power Assisted Neuroplasty Device with 2-mm reciprocating movement at 4000 cycles per minute
• Two standard 8.5 cm Cushing Decompression Retractors
• One 12.2 cm Sympathectomy Dissector, bilaterally calibrated
• Three sets of 18.5 cm Adson Hemostatic Forceps
• One Cushing Pituitary Rongeur, with 6.5 cm Shank, and a 2x10 mm Cup Jaw
• Four 12 cm Adson Periosteal Elevators
• One Slightly Curved Obwegesero Zygomatic Arch Awl
• A tall glass of cold water in case you get thirsty!

You will want to be fairly precise about the size of your Hemostatic Forceps. Using the standard 17.5 cm version will probably result in the death of your patient.

If you get bored easily it would be a good idea to setup a radio to play some music while you operate…just make sure that you don’t accidentally set it to an easy listening station, or you might start wishing it was you who had the malignant brain tumor!