Abstract
There is no doubt that the closed body-exhaust system plays an important role in reducing infection rate in total hip arthroplasty. This demands a secure body-exhaust air hose. The current method in securing the air hose by tying the hose ribbons around the waist often fails to hold the hose in place. Soon after the operation begins; the hose that is secured to the body starts to migrate its way up to reach the surgeon’s neck. This will inevitably undermine the effectiveness of the body exhaust system, interfere with the sterility of the surgeon’s gown, and cause discomfort to the arthroplasty surgeon.
A new and simple method is described to stop the body exhaust pipe from slipping and migrating up the surgeon’s body. The surgeon’s own buttocks are used to anchor the hose tapes instead of fastening the air hose ribbons around the surgeon’s waist.
The new method of using the surgeons buttocks as anchors to secure the body-exhaust hose in place can improve the effectiveness of the body exhaust system and raise its potential to the maximum without causing any discomfort to the surgeon or jeopardise the sterility of the surgeons clothing.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Peter Kay, Editorial Secretary. Correspondence should be addressed to British Hip Society, The Hip Centre, Wrightington Hospital, Appley Bridge, Wigan, Lancashire WN6 9EP.
