A NEWLY DEVELOPED VACUUM VALVE FOR MICROS URGERY

A vacuum operated suction appliance can be invaluable for all areas of surgery. The suction process carries a greater risk (e.g. dizziness, deafness), especially in microsurgery of the ear. A newly developed va cuum valve for microsurgery that is mechanically adjustable is present ed. The surgeon operates the valve with his foot outside the aseptic a rea of surgery. The valve enables him to regulate the vacuum or to qui ckly interrupt the suction process. This allows for swifter, safer sur gery. Examples of use of the device in microsurgery of the ear are des cribed in detail.