So many widely adopted surgical procedures tend to gravitate toward ever-smaller applications and instrumentation. Soon, those ocular prescriptions will have to be reviewed. In just another blink of the focus-faulting eyes, the surgeon finds himself at Hi-tech’s hallowed portico with the adoption of loupes, microscopes or other optical aides.

The 1970’s saw laminectomy rongeurs begin their inexorable run for the micro. Two-millimeter bites, then one and a half-millimeters replaced three-millimeter bites and, of course, the pride of so many instrument companies, the all-impressive one-millimeter punch. In the race to make the jaws smaller, it seemed to us that something was being overlooked. Kerrison, or pistol-grip punches rely on 'fist-clenching' to activate and bypasses the biofeedback advantage fingertip control offers. Moreover, Kerrison handles are heavy and add needlessly to the bulk and cost of the instrument.

Buxton’s Micro Punches are a hybrid of the already familiar pituitary rongeurs. We have made the arms leading to the rings longer and sturdier than your standard pituitary rongeur, so the required force to pass through even the toughest bone can be readily applied as needed. The construction is a little 'beefier,' but the instrument is still much lighter without the Kerrison handle, and rings require only finger rather than full hand movement to operate.

The working end of this instrument benefits from this design enhancement, as well. The shaft is as heavy as need be. No flexing will occur on compression, but because a finger squeeze normally exerts less force than a fist squeeze, the foot plate can be safely trimmed down.

Talking Back, Vol. 1, No. 2