Water-based lubricant as an adjunct to wound toilet: Validation of a technique by experiment.
BACKGROUND
Metal debris can produce a foreign body inflammatory reaction or as third body wear in the situation of joint arthroplasty. We evaluate a simple method for reducing this debris using a sterile water-based lubricating gel.


METHODS
Eight experimental surgical models consisting of porcine muscle overlying a polyethylene tube with a titanium locking plate and screws secured were constructed. Four models had water based lubricating gel applied to the wound edges, four were left without as controls. Image were then captured before and after irrigation from which the amount of debris could be quantified.


RESULTS
The reduction of surface area covered by debris for models with water-based gel was greater (p=0.001). The average reduction in surface area was 27.2% for the control group and 94.1% for the models covered with lubricating gel.


CONCLUSIONS
We show that using a safe, inexpensive and easily available water-based lubricating gel reduces the amount of embedded debris when burring metal implants using a high-speed burr.
Trauma & Orthopaedics Unit, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZN, United Kingdom. Electronic address: haroon.rehman.06@aberdeen.ac.uk.
Haroon
H
Rehman
Trauma & Orthopaedics Unit, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZN, United Kingdom.
Iain
I
Rankin
Trauma and Orthopaedics Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Kim
K
Ferguson
Department of Orthopaedics, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Agamemnon Street, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Bryn
B
Jones
Trauma & Orthopaedics Unit, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZN, United Kingdom.
Mark
M
Frame
D000818:Animals; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005547:Foreign Bodies; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000276:immunology*; D054327:Lubricants; D061825:Metal-on-Metal Joint Prostheses / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008670:Metals; D010316:Particle Size; D012307:Risk Factors; D013499:Surface Properties; D013552:Swine; D014025:Titanium
D054327:Lubricants; D008670:Metals; D014025:Titanium
Metal debris; Metalwork removal; Novel technique; Wound contamination