title: Noise exposure due to orthopedic saws in simulated total knee arthroplasty surgery.
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.
authors: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, School of Engineering Systems, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Sarah E
authors: SE
authors: Sydney
authors: Aaron J
authors: AJ
authors: Lepp
authors: Sarah L
authors: SL
authors: Whitehouse
authors: Ross W
authors: RW
authors: Crawford
mesh_terms: D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D009622:Noise / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D009983:Orthopedic Equipment; D009985:Orthopedics