Mouth guide for operating microscope Technical note
EUGENE H. HOLLY, M . D .
D/vision of Neurosurgery, Good Samaritan and St. Mary's Hospitals, West Palm Beach, Florida
v' An inexpensive mouth guide is described, which increases the mobility of the operating microscope and effectively shortens operating time. KEY WOADS
9 operating microscope
9 microsurgery
9 mouth guide
INCE 1974, we have used a simple, fully adjustable guide by which the surgeon can direct the operating microscope with his mouth. This mouthpiece* attaches easily to the Zeiss operating microscope. Once the microscope is set up and the surgeon has selected the straight or angled binocular body tube, the mouthpiece is attached into the slot designed for camera support (Fig. 1). The mouth guide is then adjusted to t h e surgeon's physiognomy. All hand wheels are loosened slightly to allow free movement of the couplings. The
microscope is then covered with a large, loosely fitting drape, such as Richard's jumbo microdrape or Xomed disposable x-ray cover. Closely fitted drapes prevent installation of the mouth guide and inhibit free movement of the microscope. After the scope has been brought into position, the surgeon can guide it with his teeth, biting through his mask, and move it in two planes without removing his hands from the operating field. Vertical adjustment is accomplished with the Zeiss operating microscope by pedal-controlled motor drive. Major angle adjustment still requires that the surgeon use one hand in conjunction with the mouthpiece but still allows the other *Mouthpiece manufactured by Kelson Prod- hand to remain in the operative field. This ucts, 3896 Burns Road, Palm Beach Gardens, simple tool can save a significant amount of Florida 33403. operating time.
s
642
J. Neurosurg. / Volume 44 / May, 1976
Mouth guide for operating mier~scope Initially we were concerned about contamination. However, in the past 18 months we have used this instrument in over 50 cases without a single infection. In summary, we recommend the mouth guide as an inexpensive accessory which increases the mobility of the operating microscope. It also helps overcome the objection of increased operating time often inherent in the use of the microscope.
Fie. 1. Mouthpiece mounted on a Zeiss operating microscope.
J. Neurosurg. / Volume 44 / May, 1976
Address reprint requests to." Eugene H. Holly, M.D., Division of Neurosurgery, Good Samaritan and St. Mary's Hospital, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407.
643
EUGENE H. HOLLY, M . D .
D/vision of Neurosurgery, Good Samaritan and St. Mary's Hospitals, West Palm Beach, Florida
v' An inexpensive mouth guide is described, which increases the mobility of the operating microscope and effectively shortens operating time. KEY WOADS
9 operating microscope
9 microsurgery
9 mouth guide
INCE 1974, we have used a simple, fully adjustable guide by which the surgeon can direct the operating microscope with his mouth. This mouthpiece* attaches easily to the Zeiss operating microscope. Once the microscope is set up and the surgeon has selected the straight or angled binocular body tube, the mouthpiece is attached into the slot designed for camera support (Fig. 1). The mouth guide is then adjusted to t h e surgeon's physiognomy. All hand wheels are loosened slightly to allow free movement of the couplings. The
microscope is then covered with a large, loosely fitting drape, such as Richard's jumbo microdrape or Xomed disposable x-ray cover. Closely fitted drapes prevent installation of the mouth guide and inhibit free movement of the microscope. After the scope has been brought into position, the surgeon can guide it with his teeth, biting through his mask, and move it in two planes without removing his hands from the operating field. Vertical adjustment is accomplished with the Zeiss operating microscope by pedal-controlled motor drive. Major angle adjustment still requires that the surgeon use one hand in conjunction with the mouthpiece but still allows the other *Mouthpiece manufactured by Kelson Prod- hand to remain in the operative field. This ucts, 3896 Burns Road, Palm Beach Gardens, simple tool can save a significant amount of Florida 33403. operating time.
s
642
J. Neurosurg. / Volume 44 / May, 1976
Mouth guide for operating mier~scope Initially we were concerned about contamination. However, in the past 18 months we have used this instrument in over 50 cases without a single infection. In summary, we recommend the mouth guide as an inexpensive accessory which increases the mobility of the operating microscope. It also helps overcome the objection of increased operating time often inherent in the use of the microscope.
Fie. 1. Mouthpiece mounted on a Zeiss operating microscope.
J. Neurosurg. / Volume 44 / May, 1976
Address reprint requests to." Eugene H. Holly, M.D., Division of Neurosurgery, Good Samaritan and St. Mary's Hospital, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407.
643
