Using an impact hammer to perform biomechanical measurements during osteotomies: Study of an animal model

Osteotomies are common surgical procedures used for instance in rhinoplasty and usually performed using an osteotome impacted by a mallet. Visual control being difficult, osteotomies often based on the surgeon proprioception to determine number energy of each impact. The aim this study is whether hammer instrumented with piezoelectric force sensor can be (i) follow displacement (ii) when tip arrives frontal bone, which corresponds end osteotomy pathway. Seven New Zealand White rabbit heads were collected, two their left right nasal bones record variation as function time during second peak ? was derived from signal while D determined video motion tracking. results showed significant correlation between ( ? 2 = 0.74), allowing estimate through measurement ?. values measured bone significantly lower than p<10 ?10 ), allows transition becomes 0.78 its initial averaged value. Although should validated clinically, technology could surgeons future decision support system help assessing environment.