Biplanar^® – Success Stories

1st Biplanar^® Method Hip surgery in Karlstad, Sweden – February 2018

Story by Christophe Pialot, International Sales Manager, Swemacimaging

Dear Biplanar partners,

I am really excited to share with you the latest Biplanar news from Sweden.

– “This is the best thing that has happened here for a long time!”

For the past 3 days I have together with my colleague provided an introduction training to one of the last Swedish hospital which was still using C-arms for orthopedic surgeries. Now only 1 hospital remains in the whole country where doctors have not yet been able to experience the Biplanar method and all its advantages.

During those 3 days we have not only provided instructions to doctors and nurses but we were even able to support them during their first hip surgery using the Biplanar method.

I can tell you that it was a fantastic experience! And this is the reason I wanted to share it with you.

The orthopedic doctor who had been using different methods with C-arms for over 20 years was able to use the Biplanar method for the first time. The procedure was a pertrochanteric fracture repair where a gamma nail (intramedullary nail) was used. This is quite a common surgery and one which requires slightly more space to work than other hip surgeries.

Before the actual surgery, in a different room and together with some nurses we had prepared the positioning of the Biplanar, the table and the patient (ourselves!) in order to be ready for the real surgery. The patient was positioned in the so-called “scissors” position where the injured hip was slightly flexed and adducted to allow nail entrance. The hip on the uninjured side was extended and lowered to allow lateral imaging. (The two legs are positioned like open scissors.).

The Biplanar 600s was placed beside the uninjured hip. It was helpful to use slightly oblique lateral views to avoid superimposition of instrumentation, or of the patient’s opposite leg. This was accomplished by rotating the Biplanar 600s stand by about 13 degrees and also raised one side by a few centimeters in order to reach the required rotation. (see AO foundation for more details about the whole procedure: http://bit.ly/2o1r58P)

Following the reduction of the fracture, the surgery was ready to start. After a few pictures the patient and the Biplanar 600s were correctly positioned and the surgery actually started.

The first challenge for any intramedullary nail surgery is getting the entry point right. This conditions the rest of the surgery and even the final outcome. It is critical that the guide-wire and then the nail be placed right in the middle of the femoral shaft.

With only 3-4 images the surgeon was able to find a perfect entry point in less than 1 minute and place the guide-wire central to the femoral shaft.

I can tell you that it was a pleasure witnessing a big smile on his face. Referring to the Biplanar Method he said: “This is the best thing that has happened here for a long time!”. He was obviously very satisfied.

The surgery continued as planned and in order to insert the femoral neck screw and the hip pin the Biplanar 600s was slightly moved towards the patient head, parallel to the table.

The whole procedure went very smoothly and even the nurses were happy not having to rotate the Biplanar 600s back and forth as they usually do with C-arms.

AP and lateral images showing the final result

At the end of the procedure the surgeon was almost euphoric and did the thumbs up several times.

Overall this was a great experience which once again clearly shows some of the advantages of the Biplanar method: shorter operating time and easier surgery. One of the best ways to reach this kind of “aha” moment and getting closer to a deal is to let the doctors actually experience the Biplanar method by themselves. For that purpose we have made available demo systems. I therefore warmly encourage you to book as many demos as possible and let your customer experience the Biplanar method.

I hope you enjoyed reading my short story and that you too will be able to experience such a moment with your customers.