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A comparison of two techniques for tungsten carbide ring removal
Carolyn L Gardiner1, Krista Handyside, Justin Mazzillo
1Emergency Department, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston - Medical School, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
|September 10, 2013
Summary
Locking pliers remove tungsten carbide rings significantly faster than the string technique, but this method destroys the ring and creates dangerous shrapnel. Both methods successfully removed rings in the study.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Materials Science
Background:
- Standard ring cutters are ineffective on hard metal rings like titanium and tungsten carbide.
- Alternative removal methods include the umbilical tape (string) technique and breaking rings with locking pliers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the speed and effectiveness of tungsten carbide ring removal using the string technique versus the locking pliers method.
Main Methods:
- Ten tungsten carbide rings, one-half size smaller than a simulated finger, were tested.
- A novice operator performed 10 trials of each removal technique after a brief orientation.
- Removal time and success rate were recorded and analyzed using a paired t test.
Main Results:
- Both techniques successfully removed all tungsten carbide rings.
- The locking pliers method was significantly faster (mean 23.1 seconds) than the string technique (mean 135.4 seconds).
- The locking pliers technique destroyed the rings and produced sharp fragments up to 37 inches.
Conclusions:
- Both the string technique and locking pliers effectively remove tungsten carbide rings.
- Locking pliers offer a faster removal but pose risks due to ring destruction and shrapnel.
- The choice of technique may depend on balancing speed with safety and ring preservation.
