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Noise exposure due to orthopedic saws in simulated total knee arthroplasty surgery
Sarah E Sydney1, Aaron J Lepp, Sarah L Whitehouse
1Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, School of Engineering Systems, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia.
Abstract:
In some orthopedic procedures, including total knee arthroplasty (TKA), surgeons are exposed to noise generated by powered instruments, with a risk of developing occupational hearing loss. A new saw design, the Stryker Precision system (Stryker, Kalamazoo, Mich), has been developed that may reduce noise during TKA surgery. The new system was tested against a standard Stryker System 5 sagittal saw in simulated TKA surgery using porcine cadaveric femurs, and noise levels from the cuts were measured. The average noise level of the Precision system, L(Aeq) = 81.6 dB(A), was significantly lower than that of the System 5 saw, L(Aeq) = 88.9 dB(A) (P = .003). Calculated 8-hour values for both blade systems were within Health and Safety guidelines. It was concluded that the Precision system produced a lower risk of noise-induced hearing loss than the System 5 saw.
