title: Technical advantages of an ultrasonic bone curette in spinal surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors discuss the safety and efficacy of an ultrasonic bone curette in various spinal surgeries and report its advantages in clinical application.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
authors.forename: Sang-Don
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mizuno
authors.forename: Yukoh
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ohara
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ito
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D003475:Curettage / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D005539:Foramen Magnum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012447:Sacrum / Q000601:surgery; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*