Idea Exchange: An easier way to locate a drilled hole

When stabilizing a cranial cruciate ligament injury, locating the hole drilled in the tibial crest by using the free end of a wire can be frustrating. I use a microchip implant needle to make this procedure quicker and easier. After placing the microchip, I separate the needle from its plastic syringe and autoclave it. I use the sharp end of the needle as a probe to locate the tibial hole and push the needle through. The needle bore is wide enough to accommodate any gauge wire.

Dr. Eric Jacobs

Philadelphia, Pa.