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Instrument · Equipment

Skull Clamp

Mayfield Skull Clamp · Mayfield · Three-Pin Skull Clamp · Mayfield Head Holder · Pin Fixation Device · Head Frame

A C-shaped metal or radiolucent clamp that holds the head with three sharp pins: one on one side and two on a rocker arm on the other. It attaches through adaptors to a base unit fixed to the OR table.

1 photo

On 7 setups
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Class
Equipment
On setups
7

On the table

What it does, the lengths it comes in and what experienced techs know about it.

  • What it’s for

    Holds the head completely still for craniotomykray-nee-OT-uh-meeSurgery in which a piece of the skull is removed to reach the brain, and usually put back at the end.crani/o skull-tomy cutting intoFull entry and cervicalSER-vih-kulRelating to the neck, or to the cervix, the lower end of the uterus.cervic/o neck, cervix-al relating toFull entry spine surgery in supine, sitting (Fowler) or prone position. The pins penetrate the skull. With the head held out beyond the table edge, the surgeons can reach it from all sides.

  • Lengths and variants

    Stainless steel and radiolucent models. Pins are reusable (sterilizationstair-uh-luh-ZAY-shunA process that destroys all microorganisms, including spores, on an item; also a permanent birth control procedure.Full entry by autoclaving) or sterile and disposable. Gardner-Wells tongs are another pin fixation device.

  • What experienced techs know

    What techs who reach for it every day know about it.Pro

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5 sources
  1. Goldman MA. Pocket Guide to the Operating Room. 3rd ed. Chapter 24 (Neurologic Surgery), p. 650
  2. Rothrock JC. Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery. 17th ed. Chapter 21 (Neurosurgery), Fig. 21.33, p. 780
  3. Fuller JK. Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Chapter 34 (Neurosurgery), Fig. 34.9, p. 983
  4. AST. Surgical Technology for the Surgical Technologist. 4th ed. Chapter 24 (Neurosurgery), Routine Equipment, p. 1140
  5. dotmed.com

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