To carry out any kind of surgical procedure is a very critical job. A minor flaw can lead to serious hazards. To be precise and accurate should be the top priority of any medical practitioner. During orthopedic surgery, the availability of ergonomic surgical instruments should be ensured. Orthopedic instruments could be distinct under different surgical conditions. For example, surgeons can not use the same tool for operating the ankle and shoulder. Similarly, the equipment that is effective for the surgery of a ligament cannot be helpful for bone operation.
There are a large number of instruments to perform different orthopedic surgical procedures. They may vary in shape, size, and weight according to the need. It also depends on the surgeon’s choice that with what instrument he is more comfortable. To select the fittest one is the responsibility of the orthopedic surgeon to make the procedure quick and effective. The more accurate the equipment, the less painful the surgery will be.
Common Orthopedic Surgery Equipment
There are many orthopedic surgical tools depending on their need, use, and specifications. Each one of them has its importance according to its application. Here are some common orthopedic instruments every orthopedic expert has at his clinic.
- Bone-Cutting Forceps
- Bone Files
- Bone Rasps
- Femoral Ligament Cutter
- Hand-Held Retractors
- Bone Chisel
- Bone Impactor
- Trephines-Bone Saws
Orthopedic instruments are also different depending on which body part needs surgery. On this basis, we can divide surgical instruments into the following categories.
- Hip surgery tools
- Knee surgery tools
- Spine surgery tools
- Hand and wrist
- Foot and ankle
For each of these parts to operate, the forceps, cutters, retractors, and other relevant tools would be different.
Consequences Of Using Imprecise Orthopedic Surgical Instruments
Imprecision of a surgical tool can cost a patient’s life. There are many manufacturers who compromise the precision and accuracy of surgical equipment in order to produce a large quantity. They avoid the fact that quality is more crucial than quantity. And so, it becomes very hectic for the surgeons to perform surgery conveniently when the instrument they are holding is not ergonomic. Patients also suffer the consequences of faulty equipment. The surgery procedure may prolong, which can be turbulent for both the performer and the subject.
Following are some common drawbacks of imprecise surgical equipment.
- Difficult to hold
- Incision of more than required area and vice versa
- Improper penetration
- An oversize orthopedic instrument can cause tissue or organ damage
- Surgical procedures can take more than the required time
- Reduced effectiveness of the tool and procedure
To avoid all these hazards, a medical practitioner should be very careful while selecting the orthopedic instrument to perform surgery. A surgeon should not only rely on the manufacturers but also he himself should be well familiar with the precision standards of the surgery tools. Healthcare authorities should also take actions against such false forgers of orthopedic tools.
Need For Sterilization Before Using Orthopedic Surgical Instruments
If an instrument is not properly sterilized before use for orthopedic surgery, it can cause infection to the patient that can be more dangerous than even surgery itself. An unsterilized or poorly sterilized equipment can carry infectious material from the previous patient’s body and transfer it to the new one. Surgeons should not ignore the importance of sterilization as it has a direct concern with the patient’s health. A number of infectious diseases can transmit from one patient to another.
If you are an orthopedic doctor, make sure that your tools are properly sterilized before taking any practical steps regarding surgery. Besides this, the sterilization process one chooses also matters. Over sterilization may damage the instruments’ material that will directly affect the performance of the instrument. Some instruments also decompose in sterilization. Instruments made of different materials need different types of sterilization methods. Autoclaving an instrument that needs a steam-water method can damage its health and vice versa. It could be due to the poor material of the instrument or improper sterilization procedure. So this kind of negligence can cause problems while using orthopedic surgical instruments during surgery. Read the instructions carefully before sterilizing any surgical tool.
Considerations Before Buying Orthopedic Surgery Instruments
Being a surgeon, it is your obligation to choose the right tool for your practice, and this can be only possible when you have thoroughly researched the specifications and use of orthopedic tools. Make sure you have the necessary information about all kinds of basic orthopedic instruments. Always avoid buying instruments from random manufacturers as they are just mass-producers and quality is something of secondary importance for them.
Try to ensure all specifications of your orthopedic surgery equipment. Do not compromise on the material of the instrument you are going to buy. Give first preference to lightweight instruments. Easy handling of the instrument also matters as it makes your practice less hectic and more effective. If you are not comfortable with ready-made tools available in the market, avoid buying these instruments as they will reduce your practical effectiveness. This will finally affect your patient’s health. Instead, make the manufacturers forge instruments of your own choice so that you could perform smoothly and conveniently.
To Sum Up
Considering the importance of health, if you are a surgeon doctor, always be precise about the surgical instruments. Think several times before taking any practical step regarding surgery tools. To keep your reputation up, always be innovative and prefer the tools which are advanced and updated. Keep checking market trends and consult your colleagues and seniors, so that you can keep yourself engaged with what is necessary for you. Your patients rely on you and have faith in you, so do not let them down. Never compromise on the quality of instruments you are going to use as it can affect your patients’ health. Always prefer precise and accurate tools. Buy your surgery equipment from well-reputed manufacturers.
