Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Trick of the Trade: Ring removal using oxygen mask strap



Creative emergency physicians exist worldwide. Check out this nifty trick on ring removal by Dr. Simon Carley (Centre For Evidence Based Emergency Care at Manchester Metropolitan University) of StEmylns fame.



Trick of the Trade: 
Use the elastic strap from an oxygen face mask to wrap the finger

When I was first learning this technique, I was taught to use suture material or string to wrap the finger. Neither worked very well. The proposed elastic strap may be stretchy enough to create a tight wrap and thin enough to get under the trapped ring.

Looking forward to trying this trick.

Check out another approach to ring removal and the technique for removing tungsten rings.

5 comments:

  1. Nice! I guess this would be a great way to remove a tungsten inlay ring instead of using the vice grip technique.

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    Replies
    1. Excellent point. Hopefully this will work for such cases.

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  2. Used this trick today. It works very well. Had to add some surilube to get it going though.

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    Replies
    1. Great to hear! I'm looking forward to trying this trick.

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  3. could be more paiful for pt with a burn to the hand but otherwise..i like it

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