BILATERAL ANI> UNILATERAL PLANTAR NEUROTOMY 



147 



operating upon two legs, sometimes provokes a troublesome 

 restiveness that is deplored by a careful and particular sur- 

 geon. These facts suggest the standing position for the 

 single-nerve or single-leg operation, and the recumbent for 

 the double operation. The temperament of the patient may, 



Fig. 87. 



however, be regarded as sufficient reason for reversing this 

 order. 



EQUIPMENT. — The equipment recommended for digi- 

 tal neurotomy will answer, without addition or change, for 



Fig. 88. 



this operation. The elastic wound retractor (Fig. 90), not 

 previously mentioned, is sometimes recommended as an 

 effectual instrument to facilitate the dissection after the 

 dermal incision is made. It is of no special service if the in- 

 cision is made directly over the nerve, and besides the ten- 



