Technological characteristics and clinical indications of piezoelectric bone surgery

Piezoelectric bone surgery, also simply known as piezosurgery, is a new technique for osteotomy and osteoplasty utilizing an innovative ultrasonic surgical apparatus. This technique was created and developed in response to the need to reach major levels of precision and safety in bone surgery, as compared to that available by the usual manual and motorized instruments. The instrument which offers these results, known as the Mectron Piezosurgery Device, is characterized by piezoelectric ultrasonic vibrations of a frequency of 29 kHz and a range between 60/200 Hz. Due to their characteristics, the microvibrations allow a selective cut of only mineralized structures without damaging soft tissues, which remain undamaged even in case of accidental contact. The micrometric vibration ensures precise cutting action and at the same time maintains a blood-free site because of the physical phenomenon of cavitation. The micrometric vibration makes the instrument manageable and permits major interoperative control with a consequent increase in safety especially in anatomically difficult areas. The absence of macrovibrations makes the instrument more manageable and allows greater interoperative control with a significant increase in the cutting safety in the more difficult anatomical cutting zones. Given its innovative nature, piezosurgery distinguishes itself as being different from the conventional techniques utilised in bone surgery. Consequently, it requires different surgical skill. To master the right surgical skill it is essential to demonstrate an adequate learning curve.