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S U R G I C A L
P O W E R
and blades, speed is how many revolutions or complete cycles they make in a
certain amount of time, while torque is the amount of force they exert. While
low speeds with high torque will deliver the best results on large, dense bones,
the smaller bones are more aptly handled with low torque and high speed. The
TOOL SAFETY
Beware the Noise and Splash
S
SAY WHAT?
Researchers suggest surgeons
and staff should
wear ear protection during orthopedic procedures.
urgical power tools can make quite
a racket. Noting that orthopedic
cases can frequently exceed 100
decibels, a level that carries hearing loss
potential, researchers from Howard
University in Washington, D.C., examined
whether surgical "space suits" offered any
noise reduction, as had been implied in pre-
dic surgeries in a single day and is posi-
vious clinical studies.
tioned close to the patient."
Space suits — or, at the least, full-face
Writing in the November 2009 issue of
the journal Orthopedics (tinyurl.com/lsjqp-
visors — are essential barrier protection
wp), they reported that the space suits
against spattering bodily fluids and the pos-
offered no protection against the noise. In
sibility of infectious exposure. Researchers
fact, when the suit's internal fan was on,
from the Leicester Royal Infirmary in
the noise level inside averaged 61 deci-
Leicestershire, England, have determined
bels, approximately the volume of casual
that the risk of splash injuries to the face
conversation.
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increases when power tools are used dur-
ing orthopedic surgeries. Their account
"If surgical noise is to be decreased,
earplugs or muffs must be worn not only by
appears in the October 2008 issue of Acta
the surgeon, but also by all personnel in the
Orthopaedica Belgica, the journal of the
operating theater," write the researchers.
Belgian Society of Orthopaedics and
"At greatest risk may be the anesthesiolo-
Traumatology (tinyurl.com/mgu2ceg).
gist, who may experience several orthope-
5 4
SUPPLEMENT
TO
— David Bernard
O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E | A U G U S T 2013
