摘要 |
In the broader aspects of the invention, there is provided an improved surgical tool guide and entry hole positioner comprising at least one cannulated sleeve with a handle and soft tissue protector secured to the sleeve. The cannulated sleeve has an inner surface which serves as a guide surface for a surgical tool and an obturator at one end thereof which fits in the cannulated sleeve. An improved method for locating the starting hole and accessing the intramedullary canal of bones such as the femur, the tibia, and the humerus is also provided including the steps of exposing the end of the intramedullary canal, positioning the tip of the sleeved guide with obturator in close proximity to the end of the canal, removing the obturator so that the cannulated sleeve remains in position, placing a guide pin through the sleeve and into the bone for radiographic evaluation of the guide pin placement, positioning a cannulated surgical tool over the guide pin, and using a cannulated drill for creating the entry hole into the bone for access to the intramedullary canal with a reamer, and introducing reamers and other surgical tools, guided by the inner surface of the sleeve into the intramedullary canal to increase the inner diameter of the canal until it is of a suitable diameter to receive a fracture fixation device, all the while retracting and protecting muscle, skin, and other soft tissue from damage.
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