Confession Session: S*!T I Cut My Sutures - Don't F#*K Up Your Root

Description

In this session, orthopedic surgeon Brendan Sheehan shares his personal experiences with mistakes made during surgical repairs, specifically focusing on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) procedures. He introduces the importance of proper practice in the operating room (OR) and humorously remarks on how flexibility—both physical and procedural—can be benefited from lessons derived from aviation colleagues. Brendan recounts a pivotal moment during a root tear repair, where the unfortunate cutting of sutures resulted in complications, emphasizing the need for effective techniques to prevent errors. He discusses two main pitfalls encountered during ACL surgeries: the risk of reamer interference with suture integrity and the potential damage from cannulated reamers. Brendan concludes by sharing his innovative solutions—such as placing guide wires to avoid tunnel convergence and strategically maneuvering reamers to preserve suture functionality—aiming to enhance surgical outcomes and reduce the likelihood of mistakes in future procedures.

Specialties