Tips-n-Tricks
IMEX™ has seen practices around the world incorporate our equipment into a variety of useful, non-traditional techniques. These "Tips-and-Tricks", also 
known as "Pearls", are very helpful and appreciated by veterinarians and technicians. Our goal is to make them readily available so that everyone may benefit from each experience.
To encourage practices or individuals to submit tips, IMEX™ is awarding a Flip® Video camera for each 'Tip-and-Trick" that is shared on our website. Simple solutions to daily tasks, ideas to simplify a surgical procedure and new applications for components are always popular. If you have benefitted from a tip or trick, others would love to do the same.
Winning is Easy!
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CD/DVD: 1001 McKesson Dr. Longview, TX 75604 |
Fax: (903) 295-0730 |
Accepted formats:
Video, still images, sketches or even plain text
Please include all necessary contact information when submitting your tip or trick. This will assist us when awarding the lucky winner a new Flip® Video Camera.
Good luck!
Surgery-friendly Draping Method
Dr. Jeff Johnson of Blue Sky Animal Hospital P.A. won a Flip™ Video Camera for the following tip:
Manipulation of limbs during orthopedic procedures relies on drapes being free to move. Unfortunately, drapes often do not realign when limb manipulation is complete. Attaching self-retaining weights...
Unicondylar Fx Repair Utilizing Miniature Stick-pins
Dr. Bert Shelley of Bradford Park Animal Hospital won a Flip™ Video Camera for the following tip:
Unicondylar fractures of the distal humerus are fairly common in small animal orthopedics. Fractures of the lateral aspect of the condyle are more commonly seen than medial fractures. The radius is the main weight bearing bone of the antebrachium and the radial head articulates with the lateral aspect of the conyle. Excessive force can then cause a shear injury of the lateral aspect of the distal humeral condyle.
Pin Tract Release Incision Using Mini Gelpi Retractors
In the early days of using smooth pins with external skeletal fixation, minimal, if any soft tissue release was recommended. Since threaded fixation pins have become the standard, most authors and teachers recommend utilizing a drill sleeve to prevent tissue trauma. Unfortunately, the drill sleeve has become a method to atraumatically create an undersized soft tissue tunnel.
Wire Tensioning with a 20mm Spacer
The 20mm spacer designed for building CESF ring blocks finds a dual purpose and frequent use as a wire tensioner extension (one of the first winners to our "Tips-n-Tricks" contest).
A Simple Method for Packing ESF Equipment
One of the most common questions we recieve from veterinarians and technicians is, "How do I simplify packing of our ESF kits?" Various answers come to mind, some involving expensive trays and others requiring only a hand-full of supplies found in most veterinary practices.
The one we recommend is to use already available supplies.
Watch the Video 
Tibial Tuberosity Transposition without Tension Bands or K-wires
Dr. Kevin Brumfield of Northwood Animal Hospital won a Flip™ Video Camera for the following tip:
Since 2001 (or so), I've been using the IMEX™ INTERFACE™ mini (toy breeds) or regular INTERFACE™ (medium to large dogs) pins, with positive-profile threads, in every surgical repair of medial patellar luxation with tibial tuberosity transposition (TTT). The historical standard for affixing the tibial tuberosity into position after the TTT is performed, involves the use of K-wires and a tension band. After experiencing a couple of cases where the K-wires loosened and then migrated, I tried the suggestion below.
Stifle Distraction using the SK™ Linear Distraction/Compression Device
This tip demonstrates a previously un-described use for this device – that of a stifle distractor. The figure shown demonstrates an opening of the medial stifle compartment after distraction has been applied to the stifle. Visualization of the medial compartment is enhanced by distraction.
Extending the Battery Life of Your Surgery Drill
Most small Makita® drills used in veterinary practices have built in batteries that are recommended for a three hour maximum charge. Eliminating overcharging – especially overnight charging – maximizes battery life.
Proper Assembly of an SK™ External Skeletal Fixation Clamp
Disassembling SK™ ESF clamps for cleaning purposes often results in improper reassembly when one is unfamiliar with the SK™ ESF clamp; leading to frustration on behalf of the surgeon. A quick and simple method for correct assembly of the SK™ external fixation clamp can eliminate this frustration while providing the surgeon or technician with an easy-to-remember technique.
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DIY AO-style Drill Sleeve
Pre-drilling of pilot holes has become a standard in external fixator pin placement. Pre-drilling is typically achieved through drill sleeves that fit securely into an SK™ ESF clamp. This method works well for pilot holes drilled after the initial proximal and distal pins are placed. But what about these first two pins?
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Easily Separate ESF Pins in Your ESF Packs
Consider using a syringe case to segregate ESF pins within ESF packs. Keeping different diameter of...
Modifying an Angular Hinge for Transarticular Use
A hinged external fixator is constructed by screwing hybrid rods with 6mm threads into each end of the angular hinge. Small or large SK™ hybrid rods can be used, but small are by far more commonly utilized. Hybrid rod length for each end of the fixator is chosen based on patient size and joint involved.....the angular hinge is not dynamic but slowly moved over a period of days. The modified hinge becomes very dynamic....
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