J Neurosurg 47:793, 1977

Modified suction tip Technical note

SET SHAHBABIAN, M . D .

Department of Neurosurgery, cinnati, Ohio

Good Samaritan Hospital-Christ Hospital, Cin-

A modification of the standard suction tip is described that decreases risk to delicate tissues. KEY WORDS

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suction tip

9 instrumentation

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HE purpose of this paper is to describe a modification of the standard suction tip which we have found useful. The upper surface of the suction tip is filed so that approximately 80% of the tip is removed, leaving only the lower surface (Fig. 1 A). The lower or inferior portion of the suction tip, which may be termed the "footplate," is angled at 45 ~ upward (Fig. 1 B), so that the distal portion of the "footplate" is at the level of the upper surface of the suction tip. The opening of the suction tip is then also beveled at 45 ~, which increases the surface area for suction. After this is completed, the rough edges are filed and smoothed out with emery cloth, and the footplate is polished (Fig. l C). An advantage of this instrument is that the tissues that are usually not seen by direct vertical vision at the operative field are pushed inferiorly and protected by the footplate, thereby preventing possible suctioning of these tissues. In a case where the footplate is resting on a relatively soft, delicate tissue, such as the spinal cord or surface of the brain, the slight indentation caused by the footplate on these surfaces creates a " p o o l " for the blood or fluid to be removed from the field, without any damage to the underlying strucJ. Neurosurg. / Volume 47 / November, 1977

A

FIG. 1. Modification of standard suction tip. A: Approximately 80% of the tip is filed away. B: The footplate is angled at 45 ~ C: The resulting suction tip.

tures, even if the suction tip is touching the nervous tissue. Address reprint requests to: Set Shahbabian, M.D., Department of Neurosurgery, Good Samaritan Hospital-Christ Hospital, Clifton and Dixmyth Avenues, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220. 793

Modified suction tip. Techical note.

J Neurosurg 47:793, 1977 Modified suction tip Technical note SET SHAHBABIAN, M . D . Department of Neurosurgery, cinnati, Ohio Good Samaritan Hosp...
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