Resection of bone by sagittal saw: Investigation of effects of blade speed, feed rate, and irrigation on temperature rise

Abstract

Heat generation during bone cutting by sagittal saw may lead to temperature rise and possible incidence of thermal necrosis. The aim of the present research is to examine the effect of saw blade oscillation rate, blade feed rate, and irrigation by physiological saline solution on the bone temperature rise during sawing in order to determine the desired conditions for reducing the extent of thermal damage. For this purpose, empirical tests of bovine femur cutting were performed in 15 states, including five levels for the blade oscillation rate (10,000–18,000 cpm with 2000 cpm intervals) and three levels for the feed rate (10–30 mm.min−1 with 10 mm.min−1 intervals) for dry conditions; and five states, including five levels for the blade oscillation rate (10,000–18,000 cpm with 2000 cpm intervals) and one level in feed rate of 20 mm.min−1 for the irrigation conditions. The results indicated that the bone temperature rise had a direct relationship with the blade oscillation rate and an inverse relationship with its feed rate. In the state of no cooling, the minimum temperature rise (Δ T = 65.45°C) occurred at the blade speed of 10,000 cpm and feed rate of 30 mm.min−1, while in the state of sawing with irrigation, the temperature rise almost did not exceed the allowable range (Δ T ≤ 10°C). The results suggested that to lower the possibility of incidence of osteonecrosis in the bone resection by sagittal saw, cooling with physiological saline solution or application of the minimum blade oscillation rate and maximum feed rate is recommended.