since the drill are made of plastic,it is possible for them to be completely sterilized? and they are packed in bags that are also plastic.
In Argentina the tools are only metalic tools (stainless steel). Inclusively they are not industrial tools.
No, the plastic ordinary drill could not be completely and safe sterilized. Is possible to sterilize special plastic devices in gamma radiations or ethylene oxide, but is expensive and not very profitable.
The plastic drills apart from above-mentioned facts pose challenges in following manner -
1. No standardisation of torque or rpm or heat generated whether it is ideal for bone tissue
2. Usually they lack reverse functions so in order to remove guide wire or drill, extra pressure is required this increasing cha ces of guide wire or drill breakage
3. Internal wire disfuction or short circuit , if present, incraeseas chance of combustion and burn severe than metal ones
4. Vibration effects during drilling hard diaphyseal bone may be more and thus cumbersome and hazardous to prolong use.
No, the drill in the picture is not made to withstand sterilization.
Many less developed world hospitals use commercial " hardware" drill for orthopaedic surgery; usually wrapped in a sterile drape, although this clearly somewhat compromises sterility. The problem is that dedicated, sterilisable battery or pneumatic drills / saws are prohibitively expensive and "hand drilling" is difficult and takes time. Arbutus medical ( http://arbutusmedical.ca ) now produce sterilisable, reusable drill and saw bags. The drill bag uses a bayonet fitting to a De Walt drill that can be bought at hardware stores for as little as $100.
I think the times where industrial tools could be used for surgery after sterilisation are past here in Belgium. Although I do agree that some expensive surgical material is exactlove you the same as safely sterilised industrial bolts and nuts (for example in Ilizarov procedures). Furthermore high quality and high standard hospitals should fulfill obligated criteria in order to obtain or maintain a high quality patient care.
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