Quantifying the sharpness of osteotomes for dorsal hump reduction

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomechanical Engineering
• Surgical Instrument Technology

Background:

• Osteotomes are critical surgical instruments used for bone cutting.
• Maintaining osteotome sharpness is essential for surgical efficiency and patient safety.
• The impact of repeated use and sharpening on osteotome performance is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively assess the effect of multiple uses and sharpening on osteotome sharpness.
• To compare the performance of sharpened osteotomes with new instruments and those from central supply.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study utilizing a mechanical model with an Instron universal tester.
• Quantified sharpness by measuring the force required for osteotomes to cut a standardized suture.
• Evaluated osteotome sharpness at baseline, after 3, 6, and 9 uses, and after sharpening.

Main Results:

• Osteotome sharpness significantly decreased with increasing use, with dullness observed after 3 to 9 uses depending on the instrument.
• Professional sharpening restored performance to levels comparable to osteotomes used 3-6 times.
• Further sharpening led to a significant decrease in performance, requiring more force to cut the suture.

Conclusions:

• Osteotome sharpness deteriorates with use, necessitating evaluation of their lifecycle.
• Professional sharpening can partially restore, but not fully replicate, baseline sharpness.
• Excessive sharpening appears detrimental, supporting the consideration of osteotomes as disposable surgical instruments.