Noise measurement in total knee arthroplasty Lukas A. Holzer, Andreas Leithner, Michael Kazianschütz1, Gerald Gruber Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and 1Safety Engineering, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria

Abstract Few studies have been performed to analyze noise levels produced by various surgical instruments in the operating room (OR). The highest levels of noise that have been described were due to instruments used for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). These high levels of noise might be a potential health hazard for patients and medical staff. Therefore, we aimed to measure noise levels of current instruments that are widely used worldwide. During a conventional primary TKA the levels of noise in the OR were measured using a Class 1 integrating-averaging sound level meter. The highest A-weighted equivalent level was produced when using a hammer during the implantation of the femoral and tibial components with 90.2 dBA. In total surgical instruments were used for about 10% of the total time of surgery. Noise exposure due to instrument use during TKA does not seem to be a potential health hazard for medical staff or patients. Keywords: Noise measurement, surgical instruments, total knee arthroplasty

Introduction

commercially available. Therefore, we aimed to measure noise levels of current instruments that are widely used worldwide.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an orthopedic surgical technique that aims to restore function in primary or secondary diseased knee joints. TKA is one of the most common orthopedic procedures with about 380 procedures performed in the USA and projections of a further increase.[1,2] Over the last decades, many advancements have been made in implant design and surgical technique. However, for the implantation of a knee joint prosthesis various surgical instruments are still needed among them are hammers, chisel, drills, and saws. The use of these surgical instruments produces high levels of noise. Few studies have been performed to analyze noise levels produced by various surgical instruments in the operating room (OR).[3,4] The highest levels of noise that have been described were due to instruments used for TKA. The highest noise levels have been found to exceed 110 dBA.[5-7] These high levels of noise might be a potential health hazard for patients and medical staff [4,6]. Data suggests that continuous high noise exposure of levels above 90 dBA might cause hypertension, or hearing loss.[8] As indicated above advancement in this field is in progress continuously and a variety of different surgical instruments are Access this article online Quick Response Code:

Website: www.noiseandhealth.org DOI: 10.4103/1463-1741.137040 PubMed ID: ***

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Methods Noise measurement During a conventional primary TKA the levels of noise in the OR were measured using a Class 1 integrating-averaging sound level meter Bruel and Kjaer Type 2240-A (Bruel and Kjaer GmbH, Bremen, Germany). The sound level meter was positioned at level of the head and at a distance of approximately 10 cm away from the surgeon. Noise levels were measured when surgical instruments that are described in detail below were used. The measurements represent the A-weighted equivalent level (Lp,A,T), expressed in dBA, for the specific interventions. Lp,A,T is the main unit used for assessing occupational noise. Surgical instruments The following instruments were used and analyzed during the TKA: Pneumatically-operated tool systems, including oscillating bone saw and air reamer drill II (both Synthes GmbH, Oberdorf, Switzerland) that are commonly used for arthroplasties and large bone surgery, a pneumaticallyoperated lavage system PALAVAGE® pulse lavage (Heraeus Medical GmbH, Werheim, Germany), a 700 g hammer and a chisel (both Synthes GmbH, Oberdorf, Switzerland). Ethics review According to the policy activities that constitute research at the Medical University of Graz, this work met criteria for operational improvement activities exempt from ethics review. Noise & Health, July-August 2014, Volume 16:71, 205-207

Holzer, et al.: Noise in total knee arthroplasty

Results The results of the noise measurement can be seen in Table 1. The A-weighted equivalent level in the OR without the use of any instruments was 70.1 dBA. The highest A-weighted equivalent level was produced when using a hammer during the implantation of the femoral and tibial components with 90.2 dBA. The lowest A-weighted equivalent level was produced, while using a drill with 74.6 dBA. In total, the above described surgical were used for 5 min 47 s, about 10% of the total time of surgery.

Discussion We analyzed the noise levels produced by surgical instruments during a conventional primary TKA. Few studies were performed that analyzed the noise levels produced by various surgical instruments. The highest noise levels were found during orthopedic procedures such as TKA exceeding 110 dBA.[5-7] In this study, the highest A-weighted equivalent levels were found during the use of a hammer with 90.2 dBA. Sydney et al. measured sound levels produced by different pneumatically-operated saws. Noise levels of saws varied significantly and ranged from 81.6 to 88.9 dBA.[9] In this study, the use of a saw reached an A-weighted equivalent level of 88.0 dBA. The total time of instrument use was a

Noise measurement in total knee arthroplasty.

Few studies have been performed to analyze noise levels produced by various surgical instruments in the operating room (OR). The highest levels of noi...
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