Comparative study of conventional and ultrasonically-assisted bone drilling.
BACKGROUND
Bone drilling is a well-known surgical procedure in orthopaedics and dentistry for fracture treatment and reconstruction. Advanced understanding of the mechanics of the drill-bone interaction is necessary to overcome challenges associated with the process and related postoperative complications.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to explore the benefits of a novel drilling technique, ultrasonically-assisted drilling (UAD), and its possible utilization in orthopaedic surgeries.


METHODS
The study was performed by conducting experiments to understand the basic mechanics of the drilling process using high speed filming of the drilling zone followed by measurements to quantify thrust force, surface roughness and cracking of the bone near the immediate vicinity of the hole with and without ultrasonic assistance.


RESULTS
Compared to the spiral chips produced during conventional drilling (CD), UAD was found to break the chips in small pieces which facilitated their fast evacuation from the cutting region. In UAD, lower drilling force and better surface roughness was measured in drilling in the radial and longitudinal axis of the bone. UAD produced crack-free holes which will enhance postoperative performance of fixative devices anchoring the bone.


CONCLUSIONS
UAD may be used as a possible substitute for CD in orthopaedic clinics.
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman.
K
K
Alam
Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Taibah University, Al Madina Al Munawara, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Naseer
N
Ahmed
Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK.
V V
VV
Silberschmidt
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography
Bone drilling; chip formation; computed tomography; drilling force; surface roughness; ultrasonic vibrations