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Drill- and suction-generated noise in mastoid surgery
Archives of Otolaryngology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|February 1, 1980
Summary
Suction irrigation during temporal bone surgery generates the highest noise levels, reaching 107 dB(A). Drilling noise ranges from 65-96 dB(A), with combined procedures exceeding 108 dB(A), potentially impacting patient hearing.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurosurgery
- Audiology
Background:
- Temporal bone surgery involves drilling and suction, which can generate significant noise levels.
- Potential hearing threshold shifts in patients undergoing mastoid surgery are sometimes observed postoperatively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure air-conduction noise levels in the external and middle ear during temporal bone surgery.
- To identify the primary sources and contributing factors to surgical noise exposure.
Main Methods:
- Noise levels were measured using various drills (diamond burrs, cutting burrs, Hall, Stryker, Emesco) and suction irrigation techniques.
- Drilling was performed both with and without suction irrigation.
- Measurements were taken for ipsilateral ear exposure.
Main Results:
- Suction irrigation alone produced the highest noise levels, averaging up to 107 dB(A).
- Drilling noise levels varied from 65 to 96 dB(A) depending on the drill and burr type.
- Simultaneous drilling and suction irrigation generated noise levels between 91 and 108 dB(A).
- Cutting burrs were up to 9 dB(A) more intense than diamond burrs.
Conclusions:
- Suction irrigation is a major contributor to high noise levels during temporal bone surgery.
- The measured noise levels, particularly from suction, may explain postoperative hearing threshold shifts in patients.