The Versajet water dissector: a new tool for tangential excision.
Goulian and Watson knives work well for tangential burn excision on large flat areas. They do not work well in small areas and in areas with a three-dimensional structure. The Versajet Hydrosurgery System (Smith and Nephew, Key Largo, FL) is a new waterjet-powered surgical tool designed for wound excision. The small size of the cutting nozzle and the ability to easily maneuver the water dissector into small spaces makes it a potentially useful tool for excision of burns of the eyelids, digits and web spaces. The Versajet Hydrosurgery System contains a power console that propels saline through a handheld cutting device. This stream of pressurized saline functions as a knife. We have used the Versajet for burn excision in 44 patients. Although there is a learning curve for both surgeons using and operating room staff setting up the device, the Versajet provides a relatively facile method for excision of challenging aesthetic and functional areas.
Klein
Matthew B
MB
University of Washington Burn Center and Division of Plastic Surgery, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington 98104, USA.
Hunter
Sue
S
Heimbach
David M
DM
Engrav
Loren H
LH
Honari
Shari
S
Gallery
Ellen
E
Kiriluk
Diane-Marie
DM
Gibran
Nicole S
NS
D002056:Burns / Q000601:surgery*; D005143:Eyelids / Q000601:surgery; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D013523:Surgical Equipment; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D014867:Water; D014945:Wound Healing
D014867:Water