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The Orthopaedic Instrumentation Nomenclature Know-how (OINK) study
Daniel Joel Epstein1, Andrew Philpott2, Michael Bullen3
1Northern Health, 185 Cooper St, Epping VIC 3076, Australia.
Journal of Orthopaedics
|June 13, 2025
Summary
Orthopaedic surgical instrument names lack consensus, causing communication issues. While some instruments achieved agreed-upon definitions among orthopaedic teams, others remain unclear, highlighting the need for standardized terminology in orthopaedic surgery.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Surgical Instrumentation
- Medical Terminology
Background:
- Orthopaedic surgery utilizes a wide variety of instruments, many with multiple names.
- Discrepancies in instrument nomenclature lead to communication challenges, delays in operating theatres, and difficulties for surgical trainees.
- A lack of consensus on preferred instrument names hinders clear communication within surgical teams.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the level of consensus on the names of orthopaedic surgical instruments among healthcare professionals.
- To identify specific instruments where nomenclature clarity is lacking.
- To explore differences in terminology between orthopaedic specialists and other medical professionals.
Main Methods:
- An online assessment tool featuring images of 14 surgical instruments was distributed to orthopaedic team members.
- Respondents from metropolitan and regional hospitals in Victoria, Australia, were asked to identify the correct instrument name.
- Responses were collected and analyzed using means analysis to determine consensus.
Main Results:
- A total of 136 responses were analyzed from orthopaedic, medical, and non-healthcare personnel.
- Consensus definitions were reached for instruments including mallet, osteotome, nail, wire, rasp, nibbler, prosthesis, and orthosis among orthopaedic respondents.
- Significant differences in opinion were observed between orthopaedic specialists and other medical professionals regarding instrument terminology.
Conclusions:
- Consensus has been achieved for the names of several orthopaedic surgical instruments.
- However, clarity and consensus on terminology remain elusive for certain instruments.
- Standardizing orthopaedic instrument nomenclature is crucial for improving operating room efficiency, patient safety, and surgical technique dissemination.
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