Evaluation of Makita electric drills for orthopaedic surgery.

The problems associated with the use of air drills in orthopaedic surgery are briefly reviewed. Battery-powered electric drills offer an alternative but they can introduce a different set of problems. We have investigated procedures for using a Makita, non-medical battery-powered drill in orthopaedic surgery and can conclude that, within certain limits, this drill is an alternative to an air drill with the advantage of absence of air hoses and the potential for cost-saving.