I've been working at my present facility for 17 years, and am currently in the process of choosing a replacement for our OR's surgical table for the first time. A surgical table is one of the longest-serving pieces of equipment you'll ever buy, which underscores the importance of selecting one that will serve your facility, staff and patients well. To accomplish that, consider these questions:

• What do your specialties require? A surgical table should have the functionality and flexibility to handle any specialty you bring to it. Our ear, nose and throat surgeons primarily need a rotating top to give them some room at the patient's head, away from anesthesia's workspace. Otologists also like a table that "airplanes," or tilts on a lengthwise axis, for better ear access. Orthopedic and multi-specialty centers, on the other hand, will require significantly more in the way of positioning and articulation, not to mention radiolucence to allow intraoperative fluoroscopic imaging.
• Is it easy to use? It's the centerpiece of your OR and your workflow, but you want something that'll be effortless and practically unnoticeable, not labor-intensive. It should position and maneuver easily and safely, whether it's electronically or manually operated. Controls should be intuitively designed, like your car's dashboard. The armboards, headrests and other attachments should connect and detach without difficulty. A new surgical table is far too expensive a purchase to become backup equipment, sitting in a corridor unused, because your co-workers don't want to deal with it.
• How much patient do you need to support? At our ASC, we don't perform surgery on patients with a body-mass index over 35, so a table with a standard 500-lb. capacity is sufficient. But if you're treating larger, heavier patients, a greater weight capacity (including lift weight and articulation weight), not to mention table width, will be important considerations in supporting all your patients.
• Does it feel comfortable? Surgical tables are no one's idea of luxury furniture, but when they're brought on site for trials, make sure that members of your staff get on them and position each other. Unlike an anesthetized patient, they'll be able to tell you whether a table feels comfortable, safe and effective in managing pressure points.

Biodex Medical Systems
Surgical C-Arm Table 840
(800) 224-6339
www.biodex.com/c-arm
List price: $34,900
FYI: The cantilevered, low-attenuation, carbon-fiber tabletop of Biodex's surgical imaging table accommodates all models of C-arm, whether portable or ceiling-suspended. A closed system, it resists the intrusion of any fluids, dust or dirt into its working mechanism. It operates from either AC current or battery power, and the battery automatically charges when the table is plugged in. Hand and foot controllers, a main control panel and push-button controls operate the table's 3-axis motorized positioning and X-Y free-float.

DRE Medical Equipment
Anetic-P
(800) 499-7093
www.dremed.com
List price: $21,446
FYI: Constructed from lightweight materials, the multi-function, mobile DRE Anetic-P is low-maintenance, easy to configure and available with a wide range of procedure-specific accessories. It features a long-life battery, 550-lb weight capacity, a traversing patient platform for full C-arm coverage and the stability to support lateral tilt and Trendelenburg positioning.

Maquet
Yuno Otn
(973) 709-7657
www.maquetusa.com
List price: $125,000 to $195,000
FYI: Maquet's Yuno Otn surgical table is easily configured to accommodate a broad range of specialties and applications, including the demands of orthopedic and neurosurgical cases. Its stability and ergonomic design lend assistance to positioning patients for optimal surgical site access, while its radiolucent materials won't interfere with fluoroscopic imaging during procedures.

Mizuho OSI
Hana Orthopedic Surgical Table
(800) 777-4674
www.mizuhosi.com
List price: not disclosed
FYI: This fully functional fracture table designed specifically for hip and knee replacement procedures optimizes the anterior approach to total hip arthroplasty and minimally invasive knee surgery. Stable and easily maneuverable, the table allows hyperextension, adduction and external rotation of the hip. Its cantilevered top and carbon-fiber construction allow unrestricted C-arm access, while memory foam pads contour to the patient's anatomy and equalize the pressure load.

Nuvo
V7 Surgical Table
(800) 663-1152
www.nuvosurgical.com
List price: $45,000 to $57,000
FYI: You can configure this modular table to support any specialty's procedures. A latching mechanism makes attaching and removing the lightweight sections effortless. Includes 3 customizable pre-set position settings (flex, re-flex and beach chair). You can program and recall other specific positions through the handheld controller.

Oakworks Medical
CF Series Procedure Tables
(800) 558-8850
www.oakworks.com
List price: $22,500 for the CFUR301, $27,500 for the CFLU401
FYI: Derived from the company's line of C-arm imaging tables, Oakworks Medical's radiolucent procedure tables serve the needs of urology and lithotripsy specialists with ergonomic handling for users and comfortable, secure positioning for patients. The CFUR301 table offers 3 motions (height adjustment, Trendelenburg positioning and longitudinal travel); the CFLU401 adds lateral travel.

Skytron
Elite 6300
(800) SKY-TRON
/www.skytron.us
List price: $45,000
FYI: Fixed-base tables always compromise their stability and weight limit in order to create a larger imaging area and unobstructed C-arm access, says Skytron. But the company's Elite 6300 table features a top that moves with the patient. It offers 210 degrees of rotation, a 600-lb articulation weight limit and a removable leg section. Carbon-fiber extensions, beach chairs and other specialty accessories are available for the battery-operated table.

Steris
4085 General Surgical Table
(800) 548-4873
www.steris.com
List price: $53,000 to $60,838
FYI: The 4-section tabletop of the 4085 General Surgical Table provides ergonomic, anatomically correct patient articulation for patients of any size. Its radiolucent top, narrow column and slide capability offer C-arm access in an efficiently designed footprint. An easy-to-read display on the table's controls provides positioning data and alerts users to potential conflicts. Self-leveling floor locks compensate for uneven OR floors and ensure stability.

Sunnex
SX800 Surgical Tables
(800) 445-7869
www.sunnexmedical.com
List price: $21,500 to $31,500
FYI: The medical lighting manufacturer is entering the surgical table field with a line of versatile, easy-to-use tables and accessories. The sturdy, low-profile base of the SX800 series is constructed from durable, rust-resistant components. Its compact design simplifies positioning and accommodates procedures in a range of specialties. The hand pendant control is backlit for use in ORs dimmed for endoscopic surgery. Automatic leveling and lock mechanisms are standard, while a slide option for imaging is available.

Surgical Tables, Inc.
Streamline Imaging Table
(888) 737-5044
www.surgicaltablesinc.com
List price: $7,000 to $25,000
FYI: A diving-board-style table for convenient C-arm access, the Streamline is lightweight and easy to maneuver on 4 lockable casters. Its 24-inch-by-84-inch tabletop, wider and longer than the industry standard, eliminates the need for armboard accessories. The table features a 2-inch pad, 2 patient straps and a 500-lb capacity. It's available with up to 5 tabletop positioning motions, for a range of cost-efficient price points depending on a surgical facility's needs.

Trumpf Medical Systems
Trumpf Titan
(888) 474-9359
www.us.trumpf.com/med
List price: $45,000
FYI: A table that meets the demands of a wide range of surgical specialties and offers a 1,000-lb weight capacity, the Trumpf Titan practically eliminates the need for separate general and bariatric tables. The split-leg, fully articulating table features motor-driven mobility and easy movement. It maintains stability even when positioned at extreme angles and at full weight capacity. Longitudinal slide, a head-to-toe X-ray channel and optional carbon-fiber components assist in C-arm imaging.