"DIY medicine" covers a lot of ground: at one (terrifying) end of the spectrum are the brave surgeons and citizens who operate on themselves, and at the other are the doctors who find novel uses for everyday items, such as using wooden spoons to staunch massive hemorrhages or setting a broken nose with a mallet and champagne cork. Here is another example of the latter type: apparently, getting the recommended medical clip for use in facial surgeries is difficult (and expensive) in India, so these doctors figured out how to use regular old paper clips to do the same thing. Even Clippy would be impressed!
A simple method to control bleeding by stationary paper clips as an alternate to raney clips during coronal incisions. "A simple method to control bleeding by stationary paper clips as an alternate to raney clips during coronal incisions. Waknis PP1, Prasad GS2, Wadje S3. Author information Abstract The value of coronal incisions in maxillofacial surgery has been well documented. The incision provides excellent access to the upper facial skeleton aiding in adequate access, good anatomic reduction of fractures and hidden scar. The associated bleeding with raising a bicoronal flap is a matter of concern to beginner surgeons. This often prevents the regular use of this approach. Textbooks have recommended the use of Raney clips but these are not available routinely in India and are expensive. We have utilized simple stationary paper clips, autoclaved and used for surgery. This not only provide haemostasis but also aids in holding the flap during dissection. This technique would be of great help to young surgeons and in developing countries where economics plays a major role in surgery." Related content: NCBI ROFL: Manipulation of fractured nose using mallet and champagne cork. NCBI ROFL: The novel use of wooden spoons for control of massive intra-abdominal hemorrhage. NCBI ROFL: Impact of Yankee Stadium Bat Day on blunt trauma in northern New York City.
