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A useful hand table
A Useful Hand Table--E. G. Prendiville A USEFUL HAND TABLE
E. G. P R E N D I V I L L E , Glasgow This table consists of a stainless steel frame 6in. square, of rods ¼in, square, criss-crossed by ten ~in. rods, each separated by a distance of lin. Each rod pierces the square peripheral bar, and is bent into a blunt hook below it, at each end, At each corner is a stout two inch high leg socketed into the frame. The table has been developed from the hand stand of Rank and Wakefield Rank (1968). It differs from the Rank and Wakefield stand in the following ways: 1.
It is smaller--to fit in a standard surgical instrument case.
2.
It is stronger. The peripheral bars are kin. square.
3.
The engineering principles in its construction are different. (a) The peripheral bars are bored to receive the cross bars. (b) The cross bars are held in T junctions where they cross each other, rather than being welded at these junctions. (c) The legs are stout posts, of gin. cambered rounded rods (rather than wire). This allows vigorous orthopaedic procedures to take place without the platform sagging.
4.
A steady platform is required by orthopaedic surgeons for procedures on
bones of the hand and wrist. The hand table provides this. The bent wire handstand is not so designed. 5.
It is higher. (a) This makes for comfortable settling of the surgeon's elbows on the arm board. (b) It also helps to give access to the hooks. (c) It allows more variations of wrist angle when used with the folded towel under the elbow.
Figs. 1 and 2 Two views of the hand table. The foam rubber padding has been omittea to avoid obscuring the table. 114
Vol. 3
No. 1
1971
A Use[ul Hand T a b l e - - E . G. Prendiville
.
It has six hooks each side, rather than three straight projections as in the hand-stand. This makes for increased flexibility in adjusting the rubber band tension and hence the positioning of the fingers and thumb. The hooks lessen the likelihood of the band slipping off. D E T A I L S OF U S E
Stout rubber bands, looped together in pairs, are hooked into the bent ends of cross bars. A pair of rubber bands holds on a slab of lin. thick synthetic foam rubber, which cushions skin and underlying structures. The bands are sterilised with the table. The hand is held in position by further rubber bands caught over the hooks at the sides of the table. Separate rubber bands, looped on to the distal phalanx, position individual fingers and thumbs at will. A folded towel under the elbow adjusts the angle of the wrist. Silk sutures (3/0) left long and held in fine haemostats, retract and close skin flaps. Rubber bands held in haemostats can be used to isolate and retract key structures, at will. RESULTS
1.
The surgeon's work is simplified.
2.
Fixation and retraction are obtained in a non-traumatic way.
3.
The lack of skilled assistance is overcome.
4.
The clutter of assisting hands is eliminated.
5.
Drilling and wiring are simplified. Retract the rubber cushion and aim the drill at a space in the top of the platform. This saves the assistant's fingers from the danger of transfixion.
6.
The device will fit in an ordinary surgical instrument case. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I extend my thanks to Mr. T. Gibson and Mr. I. Jackson for their helpful suggestions incorporated in this article.
REFERENCE
RANK, B. K., WAKEFIELD, A. R., and HUESTON, J. T. (1968) Surgery of Repair as Applied to Hand Injuries. Third Edition. Edinburgh E. & S. Livingstone. p. 60. Vol. 3
No. 1
1971
115
E. G. P R E N D I V I L L E , Glasgow This table consists of a stainless steel frame 6in. square, of rods ¼in, square, criss-crossed by ten ~in. rods, each separated by a distance of lin. Each rod pierces the square peripheral bar, and is bent into a blunt hook below it, at each end, At each corner is a stout two inch high leg socketed into the frame. The table has been developed from the hand stand of Rank and Wakefield Rank (1968). It differs from the Rank and Wakefield stand in the following ways: 1.
It is smaller--to fit in a standard surgical instrument case.
2.
It is stronger. The peripheral bars are kin. square.
3.
The engineering principles in its construction are different. (a) The peripheral bars are bored to receive the cross bars. (b) The cross bars are held in T junctions where they cross each other, rather than being welded at these junctions. (c) The legs are stout posts, of gin. cambered rounded rods (rather than wire). This allows vigorous orthopaedic procedures to take place without the platform sagging.
4.
A steady platform is required by orthopaedic surgeons for procedures on
bones of the hand and wrist. The hand table provides this. The bent wire handstand is not so designed. 5.
It is higher. (a) This makes for comfortable settling of the surgeon's elbows on the arm board. (b) It also helps to give access to the hooks. (c) It allows more variations of wrist angle when used with the folded towel under the elbow.
Figs. 1 and 2 Two views of the hand table. The foam rubber padding has been omittea to avoid obscuring the table. 114
Vol. 3
No. 1
1971
A Use[ul Hand T a b l e - - E . G. Prendiville
.
It has six hooks each side, rather than three straight projections as in the hand-stand. This makes for increased flexibility in adjusting the rubber band tension and hence the positioning of the fingers and thumb. The hooks lessen the likelihood of the band slipping off. D E T A I L S OF U S E
Stout rubber bands, looped together in pairs, are hooked into the bent ends of cross bars. A pair of rubber bands holds on a slab of lin. thick synthetic foam rubber, which cushions skin and underlying structures. The bands are sterilised with the table. The hand is held in position by further rubber bands caught over the hooks at the sides of the table. Separate rubber bands, looped on to the distal phalanx, position individual fingers and thumbs at will. A folded towel under the elbow adjusts the angle of the wrist. Silk sutures (3/0) left long and held in fine haemostats, retract and close skin flaps. Rubber bands held in haemostats can be used to isolate and retract key structures, at will. RESULTS
1.
The surgeon's work is simplified.
2.
Fixation and retraction are obtained in a non-traumatic way.
3.
The lack of skilled assistance is overcome.
4.
The clutter of assisting hands is eliminated.
5.
Drilling and wiring are simplified. Retract the rubber cushion and aim the drill at a space in the top of the platform. This saves the assistant's fingers from the danger of transfixion.
6.
The device will fit in an ordinary surgical instrument case. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I extend my thanks to Mr. T. Gibson and Mr. I. Jackson for their helpful suggestions incorporated in this article.
REFERENCE
RANK, B. K., WAKEFIELD, A. R., and HUESTON, J. T. (1968) Surgery of Repair as Applied to Hand Injuries. Third Edition. Edinburgh E. & S. Livingstone. p. 60. Vol. 3
No. 1
1971
115