Spoon Volkmann: description and scope

Practically every doctor who performs medical or diagnostic manipulations needs a certain tool. For many years, metal devices have proved to be more successful, but plastic has recently been introduced, which ensure strict sterility. However, nevertheless, this choice depends on the conditions of use. So, for example, the disposable and reusable Volkmann spoon is equally used, which will be discussed in this article.

Description

This tool is a simple design consisting of a centered handle and spoon-like branches of different diameters (2 and 4 mm) that extend from both sides. The first part is more thickened, unlike the ends, and more often has a rough surface. This is necessary primarily to prevent her slipping out of the hands of a doctor, since before research he always wears latex sterile gloves. Metal analogue is applied repeatedly, and therefore it is constantly necessary to maintain its sterility. So, a reusable spoon of Folkman is processed, for which immediately after use it is soaked in disinfectant chlorine-containing solution, and then it is washed again with a brush and put into an autoclave. Plastic is subject to disposal and subsequent destruction, and therefore they are made from cheap materials. However, since the gynecological instrumentation contacts the tender, easily traumatized mucosa of the genital tract, it is created from white polystyrene, atraumatic and apyrogenic.

Application in gynecology

Perhaps, the greatest number of instruments is required for doctors of gynecological and surgical specializations, as well as for otorhinolaryngologists. However, in the first field of medical practice there are differences regarding work in a hospital or polyclinic. Thus, the activity of the gynecological office of the outpatient clinic is mainly aimed at early diagnostics of diseases and preventive examinations, and therefore it often uses a one-time toolkit. First of all, the most necessary of them is the Volkmann spoon, which is used for taking many analyzes. So, with her help take samples of the secrets of the mucous membrane of the urethra, the vagina and the cervix, which allows you to identify venereological, urological, oncological and nonspecific inflammatory diseases of the genital tract. Their diagnosis is carried out both according to the testimony and complaints of the patient, and prophylactically.

Some gynecological tests

One of the most important analyzes is a smear on oncocytology, for which, in particular, a gynecological spoon Volkmann is used. During this test, the epithelium of the cervical canal is captured by it, and then it is applied to the prepared slide glass for histological examination. Thus, cervical cancer and its precancerous conditions - erythroplasty, leukoplakia and polyps - are detected. Another analysis, for which a Volkmann spoon is used, is a smear on the degree of purity. In the process of this study, an assessment of the microbiocenosis of the vagina is made, which greatly helps in the detection of inflammatory diseases of the genital tract and the definition of a particular pathogen or a group of them. For this, soft strokes are taken by three strokes: from the external opening of the urethra, the vaginal mucosa and the cervix. They are then applied to three slides marked "U", "V" and "C" respectively.

Use in surgery

The Volkmann spoon is a tool that has another field of application. In particular, it is used by surgeons to clean bones from the remains of pathological soft tissues. In this area, it has the name "acute bilateral bony spoon" (one-sided is the spoon of Bruns). Unlike diagnostic purposes, several other instruments with a sharp cutting edge of the working part are used in medical manipulation, this is necessary for thorough scraping of the tissues. For example, in spoon surgery, spoons are used to treat osteomyelitis or bone injuries, and in gynecology to remove polyps, endometrium with abortion and placental remains in the case of its increment.