Yes, he should wear a mask to protect you during the procedure. The practice reduces the chance of spreading germs.
No, not every procedure and procedure site , such as a wound in the external skin layers, are susceptible to airborne and respiratory pathogens. Your doctor might be erring on the side of experience-instinct-habit-tradition where “the Doc knows best.”
In the mid- to late-70s, I worked as an orderly in ER and OR. From what I know: good practice calls for surgeons to operate in the cleanest environment possible and to wear sterile and unused, masks, gloves and protective clothing. The surgical site must be prepped and cleaned. Often Betadine would be painted on the cleaned area and to show the surgeon where to go. A sterile sheet or towel is placed around the operating site. All the equipment that will be used, likewise is sterile or sufficiently clean for its purpose.
Because of financial pressures these days, however, many hospitals, clinics and medical offices are cutting staff, supplies and corners. One area I’ve noticed is cleanliness and housekeeping. So, when I was hospitalized for pneumonia about 20 years back, I was shocked to see grime on the hospital bed railings, along the intersections of floors and walls, and in other parts of my room. Last visit to a hospital showed things have gotten worse.
Your example makes me very concerned. I have lost family and friends who contacted illnesses in hospital and died. Please do all you can to watch your wound for infection and keep up you immunological defenses.
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