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dc.contributor.authorMcCombe, Alistair
dc.contributor.authorHeald, Alicia
dc.contributor.authorWagels, Michael
dc.date.accessioned2020-09-18T03:03:44Z
dc.date.available2020-09-18T03:03:44Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.identifier.issn1445-2197
dc.identifier.doi10.1111/ans.16302
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10072/397648
dc.description.abstractBACKGROUND: Unintentional retention of foreign bodies in surgery is uncommon but potentially serious. Published data regarding the consequence of retained surgical needles is sparse. We aimed to characterize lost surgical needles at our institution. Secondarily, we aimed to determine whether or not retained microsurgical needles can be reliably detected. METHODS: Reports of missing surgical needles at our institution were reviewed. Surgical needles of relevant sizes were scattered across an anthropomorphic model at representative anatomical locations. Fluoroscopic images of the field were acquired using two resolution settings. Medical staff in our department attempted to locate needles in these images. RESULTS: A total of 46 323 procedures were performed in the main theatres in the 2.5-year period. Sixty-two needles were reported as missing. No patient harm was documented. Needles of chord length 16 mm (5-0) or greater were always detected. High-resolution fluoroscopy improves detection of needles with chord lengths of 9.3 (7-0) or 6.6 mm (9-0). Needles are consistently better detected in the lower limb for needles of chord length greater than 6.6 mm (9-0). Senior observers under ideal conditions can detect 7.1% of smaller needles. CONCLUSION: When a needle is lost during surgery, consider the following before ordering fluoroscopy. Needles of chord length greater than 13 mm (6-0) should be reliably detected whilst 3.8 mm (10-0) needles will not. For sizes in between, ideal conditions for detection may include an operating field in the lower limb, high-resolution fluoroscopy and a senior observer. It may not be necessary or cost effective to identify microsurgical needles with fluoroscopy.
dc.description.peerreviewedYes
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherWiley
dc.relation.ispartofjournalANZ Journal of Surgery
dc.subject.fieldofresearchClinical sciences
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode3202
dc.subject.keywordsintra-operative imaging
dc.subject.keywordsmicrosurgery
dc.subject.keywordsneedle
dc.titleDetection rates of missing microsurgical needles using intra-operative imaging
dc.typeJournal article
dc.type.descriptionC1 - Articles
dcterms.bibliographicCitationMcCombe, A; Heald, A; Wagels, M, Detection rates of missing microsurgical needles using intra-operative imaging, ANZ Journal of Surgery, 2020
dcterms.dateAccepted2020-08-24
dc.date.updated2020-09-18T01:22:33Z
gro.description.notepublicThis publication has been entered in Griffith Research Online as an advanced online version.
gro.hasfulltextNo Full Text
gro.griffith.authorMcCombe, Alistair J.


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