Hydraulic Operating Tables: When a Manual Table Is the Right Choice

How a manual hydraulic surgical table works

In a hydraulic surgical table, a pump, operated by a handle or foot pedal, pushes fluid into a cylinder that lifts the column. A release valve lowers it. The back and leg sections, lateral tilt and Trendelenburg are usually adjusted mechanically, often with gas-spring assistance so the staff do not lift the full load. There is no motor to fail, though seals and fluid need periodic inspection.

The Lojer Practico Manual is a manually operated hydraulic operating table with hydraulic height adjustment from 710 to 1020 mm, gas-spring assisted back, leg, tilt and Trendelenburg movements, and a quick lock and unlock brake system.

When a manual table is the right choice

A manual table suits sites where power is unreliable or unavailable, such as field hospitals and remote clinics, and where the case mix is straightforward. It can be set up quickly in challenging environments, and the Practico Manual has a stainless steel table top suited to demanding climates. A manual table also costs less to buy and has fewer electronic components to maintain, which suits hospitals starting a new theatre with a tight capital budget.

It is a sound option for secondary theatres, minor surgery rooms and backup use. For daily busy lists with frequent repositioning, an electric table may save more staff effort.

• Power-independent sites and field settings
• Straightforward case mix and moderate volumes
• Lower purchase cost and fewer electronics
• Backup or secondary theatres

Specifications to check

Check safe working load, maximum lifting capacity, height range, lateral tilt, Trendelenburg and back-section angles. The Practico Manual lists a safe working load of 180 kg, a maximum lifting capacity of 400 kg, lateral tilt of 20 degrees each way, a back section from -30 to +70 degrees and Trendelenburg of 25 degrees with 18 degrees reverse.

Also verify the side rails, because accessories depend on them. Practico Manual offers Euro, UK and US side rails. Read about options in our article on operating table accessories.

Trolley-style hydraulic tables for day surgery

A different hydraulic format is the table-trolley. The Lojer Rapido is a hydraulic all-in-one table and trolley for day surgery that serves for pre-induction, transport, operation and recovery. Height is adjusted with foot pedals from 650 to 1020 mm, its safe working load is 160 kg, and it has antistatic twin castors with central locking and an 80 mm visco-elastic mattress.

It comes in Standard and Upper Body models, suited to gynaecology and urology or to thoracic, ENT and hand and arm procedures respectively. Its load rating is lower than a heavy-duty table, so confirm it meets your patient mix.

A manual table can also be a sensible partner to electric tables in a larger hospital: used in minor procedure rooms and as a backup, it keeps surgery going when a main-theatre table is out of service for repair.

Limits, price and next steps

Manual tables do not offer memory positions or motorised movement, require more physical effort for repositioning and may be less suited to bariatric or complex orthopaedic lists. Hydraulic operating table price depends on the model, rails, mattress and accessories; compare specifications and service rather than a single figure. Check maintenance of seals and fluid over the life of the table and product registration with the relevant UAE authority.

To compare manual and electric options for your hospital, request a consultation from Beckfinity. See also our comparison of hydraulic and electromechanical drives.