title: A cheap and readily available assistant in hand surgery.
abstract: Controlling the digits during hand surgery can be challenging. During elective and emergency surgery, a "lead hand" can be used; however, during fracture surgery where an image intensifier is required, the lead hand prevents imaging. Sterile surgical gloves provide a cheap and readily available radiolucent alternative. The surgeon can use bands cut from the cuff of the glove. Performing procedures such as Kirschner wiring or plating of phalangeal fractures without an assistant become much easier with the use of this technique.
authors.affiliation: North East Thames London Rotation, Whipps Cross Hospital, Paddington, London, UK. drpad@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Padmanabhan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Subramanian
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Willis-Owen
mesh_terms: D001864:Bone Wires; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005932:Gloves, Surgical; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000295:instrumentation*