Efficacy of portable X-ray in identifying retained suture needles in ophthalmologic cases

Management of the intraoperative loss of microsurgical needles: A literature review and clinical survey

Data on the incidence, management, and consequences of retained microsurgical needles in plastic and reconstructive surgery remains sparse. Research suggests that a mobile C-arm x-ray has a low detection rate for needles of size 8-0 or smaller. By means of a literature review, and survey, we aimed to investigate the current practice employed in the event of the intraoperative loss of a microsurgical needle. A literature review was conducted investigating the incidence, current management strategies, and consequences of retained microsurgical needles. This informed the questions included in a survey investigating management strategies employed in the intra-operative loss of a microsurgical needle. Results from the literature review show an overall low detection rate of microsurgical needles on imaging. Of the forty responders who completed the survey, 80% did not use a mobile C-arm x-ray to locate a missing microsurgical needle. Of the 20% that had done so, x-ray had been unsuccessful in locating the needle in all cases. Portable x-ray has a definite role to play in locating needles of size 7-0 or larger. This study suggests that suture needles of size 8-0 or smaller cannot be reliably detected on x-ray. Regarding management of this event, one should consider the risk of harm to the patient if retained, against the risk of searching for the needle. Based on the results of this work as well as existing published data, we advise against obtaining intra-operative x-rays in the event of a lost needle size 8-0 and above. Appropriate documentation should be completed.

Assessment of x-ray efficacy for intraoperative microneedle retrieval using a cadaveric model

INTRODUCTION

Institutional protocols often mandate the use of x-rays when a microneedle is lost intraoperatively. Although x-rays can reliably show a macroneedle, the benefit of x-rays in detecting microneedles in human tissues has not been established as available data on this topic are investigated in anthropometric models. The current study aims to evaluate whether x-rays can reliably detect retained microneedles in a human cadaveric model. We hypothesize that microneedles would be detected at a significantly lower rate than macroneedles by x-ray in human tissues.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Needles ranging from 4-0 to 10-0 were placed randomly throughout a cadaveric hand and foot. Each tissue sample was x-rayed using a Fexitron X-Ray machine, taking both anteroposterior and lateral views. A total of six x-ray images were then evaluated by 11 radiologists, independently. The radiologists circled over the area where they visualized a needle. The accuracy of detecting macroneedles (size 4-0 to 7-0) was compared with that of microneedles (size 8-0 to 10-0) using a chi-square test.

RESULTS

The overall detection rate for the microneedles was significantly lower than the detection rate for macroneedles (13.5% vs 88.8%, p < .01). When subcategorized between the hand and the foot, the detection rate for microneedles was also significantly lower than the rate for macroneedles (hand: 7.6% for microneedles, 93.2% for macroneedles, p < .01; foot: 19.5% for microneedles, 84.4% for macroneedles, p < .01). The detection rate, in general, significantly decreased as the sizes of needles became smaller (7-0:70.5%, 8-0:18.2%, 9-0:16.7%, 10-0:2.3%, p < .01).

CONCLUSION

X-rays, while useful in detecting macroneedles, had a significantly lower rate of detecting microneedles in a cadaveric model. The routine use of x-rays for a lost microneedle may not be beneficial. Further investigation with fresh tissue and similar intraoperative x-ray systems is warranted to corroborate and support these findings.

Clinical Issues-March 2022

Nursing scope of practice Key words: state nurse practice act (NPA), state board of nursing, decision-making framework, standards, guidance. Practice of unlicensed perioperative personnel Key words: job description, task delegation, unlicensed personnel, allied health care provider, scope of practice. Definition of a cavity for counting procedures Key words: anatomical hollow space, counting, cavity, retained surgical item (RSI), retained foreign object (RFO). Identifying retained suture needles on radiographic images Key words: suture needle size, suture needle length, radiographic imaging, counting procedures, count discrepancy.

Identifying lost surgical needles with visible and near infrared fluorescent light emitting microscale coating

BACKGROUND

Retained foreign bodies (RFOs) have substantial clinical and financial consequences. In laparoscopic surgery, RFOs can be a cause of needing to convert a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) procedure to an open operation. A coating for surgical models was developed to augment localization of needles using fluorescence appropriate for open and minimally invasive surgeries procedures.

METHODS

An epoxy matrix containing both dansyl chloride and indocyanine green was coated as visible and near infrared labels, respectively. With ultraviolet excitation, dansyl chloride emits green fluorescence and with NIR excitation, the ICG dye emits radiation observable with specialized near infrared capable laparoscopes. To evaluate the coatings, open and laproscopic surgeries were simulated in rabbits. Surgeons blinded to the type of needles (coated or non-coated) were timed while finding needles in standard conditions and with the use of the adjunct coatings. Control needles not located within 300 seconds were researched with the corresponding near infrared or ultraviolet light. Localization time was evaluated for statistical significance, P < .05.

RESULTS

All dual dye coated needles searched utilizing the near infrared camera (n = 26) or ultraviolet light (n= 26) were located within 300 seconds. Conversely, 9 needles in both control settings (no dye usage) were not located within 300 seconds. Mean time to locate control needles in open surgery and laparoscopic surgery was statistically 2-3× greater than time to localization with the use of dye as an adjunct (P = .0027 open, P < .001 laparoscopic).

CONCLUSION

Incorporation of a dual-dye fluorescent coating on surgical needles improved the efficiency of locating needles, may minimize the need to convert minimally invasive surgeries procedures to open, and may decrease the consequences of a missed RFO.