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Reduce Contamination Following a Hanging Leg Prep 

Submitted by Brent Herrin, DVM | Herrin Animal Hospital, Cassville, Missouri

A method commonly performed with orthopedic surgery to reduce contamination is the application of vet wrap and sterile drape material; a preventative measure easily accomplished with minimal pre-planning.

Black pocket folder with labels identifying external fixation pin inventort

FIGURE 1 | Autoclave vet wrap wrapped with a small piece of drape in a sterilization pouch

Closeup of pocket folder labels identify specific external fixation pins

FIGURE 2 | Cover the distal extremity

Closeup of color coded, pocket folder labels for easy identification of  external fixation pin type

FIGURE 3  | Cover the distal extremity

Closeup of color coded, pocket folder labels for easy identification of  external fixation pin type

FIGURE 4  | Wrap it with the sterile vet wrap. Use vet wrap later to cover the end of a drill shroud around the chuck extension making it less likely to contaminate the surgical field.

Editor's Note: Larger practices often have sterile vet wrap and drape for distal extremities as part of a larger drape set. Dr. Herrin's alternative use of sterile vet wrap when preparing the drill and drill shroud combination is a technique less frequently used in referral practices.

Another consideration would be to utilize impervious drape material over the distal limb to avoid strike through.