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The amputation saw is among the most important tools in a hospital's orthopedic department. These saws help medical employees remove limbs or sections of the body, mainly when diseases like gangrene, severe injuries, or tumors necessitate complete or partial amputation.
In the past, normal electric saws had to be modified to be suitable for use during surgery. However, even now, battery-operated saws have not replaced electric and hydraulic saws, which are believed to be faster.
There are several types of medical amputation saws. Each is designed with different power systems, such as electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic. As these components have different power sources, each type is suitable for different scenarios.
Electric surgical saw blades are powered by electric motors. These saws offer consistent cutting speeds and are relatively easy to use. They are commonly used in hospitals where there is a need to perform multiple surgeries, requiring less manual labor and providing more efficiency. However, electric saws need to be used with caution, as they require a steady power source to avoid any interruption during the surgery.
Pneumatic saws use compressed air as their power source. These saws are lighter than electric ones and are generally used in settings away from regular power sources, like in the field or in temporary hospitals. Pneumatic saws provide high speed; therefore, they are suitable for chopping bones quickly. However, they require an air compressor for operation, which may limit their usability in remote areas.
Hydraulic saws are powered by hydraulic systems and provide more torque, therefore suitable for thicker and tougher bones. They are often used in orthopedic surgery due to their robust cutting capacity. In terms of theory, they are the slowest among the three.
However, due to their strength, they are mainly used when cutting through the tougher bone requires a more extensive and powerful saw.
Oscillating saws move back and forth and are known for making precise cuts. They are often used in surgeries that require more finesse and care than the cutting of bones. These saws are commonly found in orthopedic surgeries where controlled cuts on bone segments are required.
These saws have an oscillating head or blade that moves in small angles back and forth. As the movement is small, these saws make smooth cuts without damaging the bone structures surrounding the section to be amputated. This characteristic of the saw makes it suitable for removal of limb sections that need partial amputation, as seen in segmental and trans-joint amputations.
For long or full amputation, however, these are not the best because the cutting takes more time, and they do not chop through the bone as efficiently as reciprocating or other saws.
One of the most important features of an amputation saw is its material composition. Hence, saws are built of extremely strong alloys that, as known, do not corrode easily. Another reason is that these are built as very rigid and delicately engineered machines with delicate moving parts. Therefore, they should be handled with care lest, in any way, the sharp blade is dulled or the motor affected.
Electric blades should only be fitted when required and checked for damage or bluntness at least once weekly. All the components that come in physical contact with accessories and tools should be cleaned of any dust or micro-organisms and, when necessary, disinfected.
A few hours after routine cleaning, all saw parts should be thoroughly air-dried. Don't store parts while damp, as this causes rust. Don't use detergents with high chlorine concentrations to clean the saw, as this could damage the accessories.
Despite the clear expectations of healthcare institutions concerning the sources of electric tools, in practice, the characteristics that define the commercial value of such tools are primarily related to the customer. Any electric amputation saw has an electric motor, the saw technician will need to maintain and look for spare parts for the equipment, and the saw blade is the one that will define the cut characteristics.
If buyers want to buy in bulk, the hospital's electronic or pneumatic tools and compressors are suitable for longer use. These saws usually have changeable blades in several dimensions, commercial-quality saw blades, and changeable, in most cases, motors and pneumatic tools.
But, as mentioned earlier, oscillating amputation saws have more potential buyers. Their ideal products are surgical bone saw blades from cutting saws for segmental amputation. These saws can have both electric and pneumatic tools.
Like any other power tools, the effective and, in most cases, the most durable electric tools are the brushless saws. As far as pneumatic ones are concerned, a large CFM (cubic feet per minute) is more likely to guarantee an adequate output.
However, buyers should also note a few things. While purchasing hydraulic or pneumatic tools, check their compatibility with available compressors.
Earlier, people modified general power saws to turn them into surgical tools. But with the development of knowledge and technics, the field of medicine created its own saws and saw blades. The type of saw and saw blades used for surgery and amputation in orthopedics depend on the kind of electricity or compressed air that drives them.
There are electric, pneumatic (compressed air), and hydraulic (liquid pressure). The most common and preferred material is steel or tungsten carbide. Surgical saw blades are very fine and thin to minimize damage to surrounding tissues and bones. Tungsten carbide saw blades are more expensive than steel because of their durability. Due to these materials, the price of the saw blade rises or decreases depending on the materials used in making it.
Because of the electric motor in electric amputation saws, the set made is much more expensive. They are also costly to maintain because they require regular maintenance of the brushes in the motor and electrical parts.
Pneumatic amputation saws are less expensive because they have fewer parts that require maintenance. But a buyer must buy or own an air compressor. These are also cheaper to maintain because the only thing they need are filters and lubricants, and most hydraulic tools are inexpensive.
Hydraulic saws are quite costly. The people producing these saws often offer people hydraulic spares, so the finances consumed on buying hydraulic saws should be minimal for persons who can easily access hydraulic spares, but the finances can be much higher for persons who cannot access hydraulic spares.
After regular usage, a surgical saw blade will naturally become dull. When this happens, it’s important to avoid attempting to sharpen the blade by yourself, as doing so could impact its integrity and functionality. Instead, reach out to a professional service or a hospital technician who can properly resharpen or replace the blade as needed for safe, effective use.
Amputation saws that are powered by batteries, or the electric ones, are more in number because of their ease of use. These are often used by emergency services because they are portable, and the batteries can be recharged.A battery-operated amputation saw is built to last, often providing reliable performance for 3–5 years with proper care. Key factors that influence its longevity include exposure to extreme temperatures and a careful approach to storing it in a cool, dry location. Regular maintenance is crucial, from cleaning to checking for signs of wear, ensuring it stays in top shape when emergencies arise.
Corded amputation saws have blades that cut the cord. Being plug-in tools, these are more durable, with a lifespan of around 7 to 10 years. They are used in permanent medical institutions and hospitals and are expected to last years, so they're worth the investment. Proper maintenance helps ensure a longer lifespan.
Yes, besides amputation, these saws are also used in orthopedic procedures such as tumor resections, bone grafting, and joint surgeries. Their precision and control make them valuable tools for various bone-related surgical interventions.
