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Drilling efficiency and temperature elevation of three types of Kirschner-wire point

Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technicka 2, 616 69 Brno, Czech Republic.

L. Yang, PhD, Non-clinical Lecturer; M. Reed, FRCS, Registrar; and M. Saleh, MSc, FRCS, Professor

Academic Unit of Orthopaedic and Traumatic Surgery, Division of Clinical Sciences (North), University of Sheffield, Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield S5 7AU, UK.

Correspondence should be sent to Professor M. Saleh.

An innovative Kirschner (K-) wire point was developed and compared in fresh pig femora in terms of drilling efficiency and temperature elevation with the trochar and diamond points currently used in clinical practice. The tips of thermal couples were machined to the defined geometry and the temperature measured during drilling. Using the same drill speed (rev/min) and feed rate, the new K-wire point produced the lowest thrust force and torque as measured by a Kistler dynamometer. Drill point temperatures were highest with the trochar geometry (129 ± 6°C), followed by the diamond (98 ± 7°C). The lowest temperatures were recorded with the Medin K-wire (66 ± 2°C). On repeated drilling it could be used for up to 30 holes before reaching the less satisfactory drill performance of the diamond tip. The new K-wire provides a better alternative as it requires less effort for insertion, generates less heat and may be re-used.