Noise exposure due to orthopedic saws in simulated total knee arthroplasty surgery

Sarah E Sydney; Aaron J Lepp; Sarah L Whitehouse; Ross W Crawford

doi:10.1016/j.arth.2007.05.048

Noise exposure due to orthopedic saws in simulated total knee arthroplasty surgery

J Arthroplasty. 2007 Dec;22(8):1193-7. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2007.05.048.

Authors

Sarah E Sydney¹, Aaron J Lepp, Sarah L Whitehouse, Ross W Crawford

Affiliation

¹ Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, School of Engineering Systems, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia.

PMID: 18078890
DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2007.05.048

Abstract

In some orthopedic procedures, including total knee arthroplasty (TKA), surgeons are exposed to noise generated by powered instruments, with a risk of developing occupational hearing loss. A new saw design, the Stryker Precision system (Stryker, Kalamazoo, Mich), has been developed that may reduce noise during TKA surgery. The new system was tested against a standard Stryker System 5 sagittal saw in simulated TKA surgery using porcine cadaveric femurs, and noise levels from the cuts were measured. The average noise level of the Precision system, L(Aeq) = 81.6 dB(A), was significantly lower than that of the System 5 saw, L(Aeq) = 88.9 dB(A) (P = .003). Calculated 8-hour values for both blade systems were within Health and Safety guidelines. It was concluded that the Precision system produced a lower risk of noise-induced hearing loss than the System 5 saw.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / instrumentation*
Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / prevention & control
Humans
Noise / prevention & control*
Occupational Diseases / prevention & control
Orthopedic Equipment*
Orthopedics