Buying guides
Operating table buying guide: electric, hydraulic or manual?
How to choose an operating table. Drive types, tabletop sections and imaging, positions and ranges, load ratings, accessories and the questions to ask suppliers.
The operating table decides what surgery a room can do. A table that cannot reach the right height, tilt far enough or take a C-arm limits the surgeons, however good the rest of the room is. Here is how to choose one.
Drive type
Electro-hydraulic. An electric pump drives hydraulic cylinders, controlled from a wired or wireless handset. Movements are smooth and strong, and positions can be repeated quickly. This is the standard for general and multi-specialty theatres. Keling's KL-D-III Electric Operating Table is a CPU-controlled electro-hydraulic table; the KL-D-III-I Electric Operating Table adds a carbon fibre top for imaging.
Full electric. Motors drive each movement directly, with no hydraulic oil. Examples include the DL·A Electric Operating Table.
Manual hydraulic. A foot pump raises the table and manual gears or cranks tilt it. It needs no power, is easy to maintain and costs less. The 304 stainless steel KL-MT100 Manual Hydraulic Operating Table is a typical example for smaller hospitals, field hospitals and backup rooms.
Tabletop and imaging
Count the sections: head, back, seat and leg plates. More sections allow more positions, such as the beach-chair and flex positions. If the room will use a C-arm, specify a radiolucent or carbon fibre tabletop and check the imaging window along the body.
Ranges that matter
Compare these figures between quotations:
- Minimum and maximum height. A low minimum suits seated surgeons and short staff; a high maximum suits standing teams.
- Trendelenburg / reverse Trendelenburg angles.
- Lateral tilt left and right.
- Back plate up and down angles.
- Leg plates range and whether they split or remove.
- Longitudinal slide of the top, which gives imaging access without moving the patient.
Load rating
Check the patient load in normal and in extreme positions. Bariatric surgery needs a higher rating.
Specialty accessories
Order the accessories with the table: arm boards, anaesthesia screen, shoulder and body supports, leg holders, and for orthopaedics a traction frame such as the KL-6B & KL-6D Orthopaedic Traction Frame.
Obstetric and gynaecology tables
Delivery and gynaecology procedures use dedicated tables with leg supports and a removable foot section. Electric versions like the KL-2E Electric Obstetric Table and manual hydraulic models like the KL-2A / KL-2B Manual Obstetric Tables cover different budgets.
Questions to ask every supplier
- Which safety standard has the table been tested to (IEC 60601-2-46)?
- What happens on power failure? Is there a battery or manual backup?
- Which accessories are included, and which are options?
- What are the packed dimensions and weight?
- Is the maker certified to ISO 13485?
Browse Keling's operating tables or ask for a recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
What is an electro-hydraulic operating table?
It is a table whose movements are driven by a hydraulic system powered by an electric pump, controlled from a handset. It combines the smooth, strong movement of hydraulics with push-button control.
Do I need a radiolucent operating table?
If the room will use a C-arm or other intra-operative X-ray, yes. A radiolucent or carbon fibre tabletop lets the image pass through without metal artefacts.
What standard applies to operating tables?
IEC 60601-2-46 is the particular safety standard for operating tables.
