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COMFORT ZONE There's no adjustment curve with tethered headlights, which some surgeons might prefer.
In fact, my partner and I purchased our own cordless models that we operate with every week at 3 facilities because we were concerned about durability and ensuring they're properly cared for. We prefer to have them in our possession at all times. They're perfectly adjusted for our balance and loupe placement, so we waste no time setting them up for surgery.
How much would surgeons have to invest? When you factor in the cost of batteries and light sources, cordless LEDs and fiber-optic xenon models cost about the same: $7,000. So in the end, the right choice for them is more about their preferences than it is about cost.
Dr. Drzala (mdrzala@njss.net) is an orthopedic spine surgeon at New Jersey Spine Specialists in Summit, N.J.