A useful modification of the Kerrison rongeur.

Abstract

A useful modification of the Kerrison rongeur is reported. To modify a rongeur of the Kerrison type to avert the problems associated with conventionally designed rongeurs. A commercial rongeur of the Kerrison type was equipped with a special chip collector attached immediately behind the cutting edge. Conventionally designed rongeurs necessitate the continuous removal of resected bone chips. This time-consuming activity can be avoided easily by the use of the modified rongeur. The design of the chip collector fully met the expectations for the modification: no clogging of resected bone material, easy clinical use, and shorter operating times. The modified rongeur, available in two lengths (190 and 290 mm) and three sizes of the chip collector (diameter of 4, 6, and 8 mm) proved to be useful in clinical applications.