Pulsed lavage in the orthopaedic theatre

Pulsed lavage is used routinely for orthopaedic cases and is very effective in cleaning wounds. We have found that by using a flexible plastic light handle with a small hole cut out from the base of the hand-held part fitted onto the nozzle of the pulsed lavage (Fig. 1), cleaning wounds is easier with less splash back, and it is cheaper compared to the rigid splash guards commercially available. With the flexible light handle we can also manoeuvre easily around awkwardly shaped wounds. Figure 1 Apparatus as used.