Ultrasonic bone curette

Ultrasonic bone curette is a scalpel-type recently introduced in the neurosurgical field. It is an instrument used for resecting and scraping bones with oscillation without rolling movement. It is usually used in procedures of spinal surgery and one of the advantages of this device is that it can be used with one hand, usually the dominant right hand, but it also can be held with the left hand when it is absolutely necessary. The effect of an ultrasonic device on temperature generated in bone seemed to be similar to that of high-speed drills and well controlled by saline irrigation.

At the present time, it would be wise to use high-speed drills for rough drilling and undercutting with larger burs and to apply the ultrasonic bone curette in the deeper and more delicate area adjacent to the dura and nerve roots with full understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of both devices.