When it comes to successful spinal fusion therapy, the role of surgical instruments is significant. Highly efficient and ergonomically-made tools can make a big difference in how a surgeon performs a medical procedure. To avoid or, at least, minimize tissue damage, the instruments must be able to ensure the most atraumatic results possible.
An instrumented spinal fusion is a procedure that could be performed on both children and adults. It becomes an absolute necessity when the spinal cord becomes weakened due to a possible tumor, trauma, degenerative condition, or anothoer surgery. The purpose of this procedure is to strengthen the spinal cord so that the neurons it contains can withstand day-to-day stresses. This therapy also protects the spine against exertion and other excessive forces.
Risks involved in spine fusion surgery
Following are some of the common risks and potential complications involved in spine fusion surgery:
- Infection
- Abnormal wound healing
- Blood clots
- Bleeding
- Injury to nerve or blood vessels near the spine
- Pain at the bone grafting site
How do one prepare for the surgery?
The initial preparation includes trimming the hairs around and within the operation site. The back is washed with soap and disinfectants and then, the surgical team takes samples from the patient’s nose to monitor the presence of dangerous bacteria. Before all this, though, the primary care physician may advise the patient to stop taking certain medications prior to the operation.
Types of surgical instruments used for spinal fusion
Retractors:
Retractors provide focal and dependable retraction in the space between the transverse process. There are two types of retractors used in surgery – handheld and self-retaining retractors. Following are retractors that are used in a the spinal surgical procedure:
- Gelpi Crossover retractor
- Bent Hohmann Retractors for spine
- Taylor Spinal Retractor
Curettes:
Curettes are used to take out bone material or intervertebral disc material. The instrument cuts, scrapes, and rasps in a surgical procedure. Following are the curators used during surgical procedures:
- Brunn Curette Angled
- Cobb Curette Stainless Handle 11″
- Hibbs Spratt Spinal Fusion Curette
- Neuro Surgical Brunn Bone Curette
Surgical Knives:
This is a bladed surgical instrument. Knives or scalpels are used to make cuts into and on the different areas of the body. Here are the scalpels used in spine fusion surgeries:
- Virchow Brain Sectioning Knife
- Microsurgical Beaver Blade
Drill Bits:
The drill bits are cylindrical shanks of stainless steel. The bits include stoppers to avoid perforation after a pre-established depth of the surgery. While spine bits are highly reusable, spine surgical drills are used for many procedures and they are:
- Standard Quick Connect Drill Bit
- Twist Drill Round End Straight Shank Double Fluted
Osteotomes:
Osteotomes are used to cut bones and discs during spinal procedures. Below are some osteotomes used in spinal fusion therapy.
- Lambotte Osteotomes Straight 7″
- Cobb Osteotomes Curved
- Stille Osteotomes
- Hoke Osteotomes Curved
Where to get spinal surgery equipment
Although the surgical market has a wide variety of surgical instruments available, a professional might want to check out a reliable supplier such as GerMedUSA.com that received some of the best recommendations from buyers globally.