Technical advantages of an ultrasonic bone curette in spinal surgery

Abstract

<jats:p content-type="fine-print"><jats:italic>Object.</jats:italic> The authors discuss the safety and efficacy of an ultrasonic bone curette in various spinal surgeries and report its advantages in clinical application.</jats:p> <jats:p content-type="fine-print"><jats:italic>Methods.</jats:italic> Between April 2002 and September 2003, 76 patients with various spinal diseases (29 cervical, five thoracic, 40 lumbosacral, and two foramen magnum regions) were treated microsurgically by using a Sonopet ultrasonic bone curette with longitudinal and torsional tips and lightweight handpieces. The operations were performed successfully and the device was easy to handle. There were no instrument-related complications or -induced damage to any structure even when removing osseous spurs or ossified lesions near the dura mater, nerves, and vessels.</jats:p> <jats:p content-type="fine-print"><jats:italic>Conclusions.</jats:italic> The ultrasonic curette is a useful instrument for procedures performed near the dura mater or other neural tissue without excessive heat production or mechanical injury. This device is recommended for various spinal surgeries in addition to high-speed drills or other tools.</jats:p>

Is There a Role for an Ultrasonic Bone-Cutting Device in Adult Spinal Deformity: A Safety and Reproducibility Study

“…An ultrasonic aspirator was first used in 1947 for the removal of dental plaques (14) and developed more for dentistry in 1952. In 1978 the ultrasonic bone scalpel was used for the first time in neurosurgery (5,6). Existing ultrasonic bone aspirators like Sonopet have been proven to be safe in bone removal both in spine and intracranial surgeries (5,15).…”

“…They were very quickly adopted, and their use expanded. By the 1970s the technology allowed for effective debulking and removal of soft tissue tumors (5,6). These new cutting tools are low frequency ultrasonic blades.…”

Safe and minimally invasive laminoplastic laminotomy using an ultrasonic bone curette for spinal surgery: technical note

“…Furthermore, as the curette does not grab any cotton, bone cutting can be performed while protecting surrounding important neural and vascular structures with cottonoid patties. Concerning the hand pieces, they are light and can be readily manipulated with one hand 14) . While the curette is being operated, the hand piece end is cooled by automatic irrigation of physiological saline.…”

“…This instrument resects bones with oscillation without rolling movement 2,3,13,17) . Because of its longitudinal and torsional oscillating motion, it facilitates bone resection during spinal surgery 7,12,14) . With the ultrasonic bone curette, bones are resected by ultrasonic oscillation, not by rotation movements, and the dura mater and nerve tissue absorb the oscillation 10) .…”

“…It is commonly used for the intracranial surgery. Because of its longitudinal and torsional oscillating motions, it facilitates bone resection during spinal surgery 7,14) . Scalpel-type ultrasonic bone curette, which was reformed, made it possible to cut the bony structure.…”