Guides · ot gowns and drapes
Types of Surgical Drapes: Plain, Fenestrated, Shaped and Equipment Covers
Plain, fenestrated, split, U, lithotomy and procedure-specific drapes, plus Mayo stand and trolley covers: what each type does and how to choose a sensible drape range for your theatres.
Surgical drapes fall into a few broad groups: plain drapes and sheets that cover the patient and table, fenestrated drapes with an opening over the surgical site, shaped drapes such as split, U and lithotomy drapes that fit around particular parts of the body, and equipment covers for trolleys, Mayo stands and other items in the sterile field. Most theatres need a mix, and the exact range depends on the procedures they perform.
This overview explains each type, what it is used for and what to think about when specifying it in reusable form. Individual types are covered in more depth in separate articles, linked below.
Why there are so many drape types
The purpose of every surgical drape is the same: to create and maintain a sterile field around the surgical site and on the surfaces the scrubbed team uses. What changes is the shape of the area to be covered. A short procedure on a hand needs something very different from abdominal surgery or a procedure with the patient's legs raised. Drape types have developed to fit these situations with less handling and fewer pieces.
For buyers, the challenge is to stock the right range without carrying dozens of variants that are rarely used.
The main types at a glance
| Type | What it is | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Plain drape or sheet | Rectangular sheet with no opening | Covering the patient, table or equipment; building a field from several pieces |
| Fenestrated drape | Drape with one or more openings | Placed over the surgical site in one step |
| Split drape | Drape with a slit running in from one edge | Fitting around a limb, the head or neck |
| U-drape | Drape with a U-shaped cut-out | Fitting around a limb or body area, often in orthopaedics |
| Lithotomy drape and leggings | Drape for procedures with legs raised, plus leg covers | Gynaecological, urological and some obstetric procedures |
| Procedure-specific drape | Shaped or fenestrated for a particular operation | For example laparotomy or caesarean section |
| Mayo stand cover | Bag-shaped cover for the Mayo instrument stand | Creating a sterile surface over the patient |
| Trolley or back table cover | Large sheet or fitted cover for instrument trolleys | Sterile surface for instruments and supplies |
| Towel drape | Small drape or towel | Framing the surgical site, small coverage tasks |
Plain drapes and sheets
Plain drapes are the most flexible type. They come in a range of sizes, from small towel-sized pieces to large sheets that cover the whole table. Several plain drapes can be arranged to create a field for almost any procedure, which is why many theatres keep a good stock of them even when they also use fenestrated drapes.
When specifying plain drapes, the main decisions are size, fabric and how many size variants you need. Fewer sizes make stock management easier; more sizes reduce waste of large drapes on small tasks.
Fenestrated drapes
A fenestrated drape has an opening that sits over the surgical site, with the rest of the drape covering the patient. Openings can be round, oval or rectangular and can be placed centrally or offset. They need a drawing to specify properly. Read more in what is a fenestrated drape.
Shaped drapes: split, U and lithotomy
Split drapes
A split drape has a slit running in from one edge, often ending in a small round opening. It lets the drape wrap around a limb, the head or neck, with the two tails overlapping or secured once in position.
U-drapes
A U-drape has a wider U-shaped cut-out. It is commonly used around a limb or the hip area. Split and U-drapes are explained in more detail in our article on split and U drapes.
Lithotomy drapes and leggings
For procedures with the patient in the lithotomy position, with the legs raised and supported, a dedicated drape covers the perineal area and abdomen, and leggings cover the legs. These are usually specified as a set.
Procedure-specific drapes
Some procedures are common enough that theatres use a drape designed specifically for them. Examples include laparotomy drapes for abdominal surgery, caesarean section drapes with features for fluid management, and drapes shaped for eye, ENT or dental procedures. Whether you need procedure-specific drapes depends on your case mix. A busy obstetric unit may want dedicated caesarean drapes, while a small day-surgery centre might manage with plain and fenestrated drapes.
Equipment covers
Equipment covers are drapes for surfaces rather than the patient. The two most common are:
- Mayo stand covers, bag-shaped to slide over the Mayo stand's tray and arm
- Trolley or back table covers, large sheets or fitted covers for instrument trolleys
These need to fit your actual equipment, so measure your trolleys and stands. See Mayo stand and trolley covers for more.
Instrument wrapping cloths are related but different: they are part of the sterile packaging your CSSD uses for instrument sets, and should be specified with the CSSD.
Towel drapes and small drapes
Small drapes, often towel-sized, are used to frame the surgical site before larger drapes go on, to cover small areas, or for minor procedures where a full drape would be excessive. They are among the most heavily used items in any theatre, so they are worth specifying carefully even though they look simple.
Points to agree include the finished size, whether the edges are hemmed or bound, the fabric (theatre towels are sometimes a different weave from drapes), and how they are counted and packed. Because they are small and numerous, they are also the items most likely to go missing in the laundry loop, so clear marking and a realistic stock allowance matter.
Choosing a drape range for your theatres
- List your procedures. Note the drapes used for each one today.
- Group by drape type. You will usually find that a few types and sizes cover most cases.
- Identify gaps and duplicates. Are there drapes that are rarely used, or tasks where staff improvise with the wrong size?
- Agree a standard range. With theatre leads, scrub nurses and the CSSD.
- Prepare specifications. Dimensions for plain drapes, drawings for fenestrated and shaped drapes, equipment measurements for covers.
- Sample and trial. Process samples through your laundry and sterilisation cycle and use them in theatre before approving.
Reusable drapes: points to check
Most drape types can be made in reusable woven cotton or poly-cotton. If you are using reusables, check:
- How edges, slits and openings are finished, since these take the most wear
- How each type is folded for aseptic opening, agreed with CSSD
- How each type is marked, so similar drapes are not confused during packing
- Whether the fabric has been tested to any barrier standard, and with what documentation
Without documentation, treat woven drapes as reusable theatre textiles and let infection control decide where they are used.
Getting a quotation
MISHAREN makes reusable plain and fenestrated drapes, trolley and Mayo stand covers and instrument wrapping cloths in cotton or poly-cotton woven fabrics, cut to the buyer's dimensions and drawings. Items are made at its own unit in Kerala, India, and shipped to the UAE for each order. Send your drape list and drawings through our contact page, or see the options on our OT gowns and drapes page.