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A cheap and readily available assistant in hand surgery
Padmanabhan Subramanian1, Charles Willis-Owen
1North East Thames London Rotation, Whipps Cross Hospital, Paddington, London, UK. drpad@hotmail.com
Techniques in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery
|May 26, 2012
Summary
Sterile surgical glove bands offer a radiolucent alternative to the lead hand for digit control in hand fracture surgery. This technique simplifies procedures like Kirschner wiring and plating without an assistant, even with image intensifiers.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Surgical Techniques
Background:
- Digit manipulation during hand surgery presents challenges, particularly in fracture cases requiring image intensification.
- The traditional "lead hand" technique is incompatible with intraoperative imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel, cost-effective, and readily available alternative to the "lead hand" for digit control in hand fracture surgery.
- To demonstrate the utility of sterile surgical glove bands in facilitating procedures requiring intraoperative imaging.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing bands cut from the cuff of sterile surgical gloves as a radiolucent tool.
- Applying the technique during procedures such as Kirschner wiring and plating of phalangeal fractures.
Main Results:
- The surgical glove bands provide effective radiolucency, allowing for unimpeded use of image intensifiers.
- The technique simplifies complex fracture fixation procedures, reducing the need for an assistant.
Conclusions:
- Sterile surgical glove bands are a practical and inexpensive solution for digit control in hand fracture surgery.
- This method enhances surgical efficiency and safety when intraoperative imaging is necessary.
