In surgical planing (dermal abrasion) the operator frequently finds it necessary to use gauze squares to prevent slipping of the thumb and fingers of the left hand when they are used to maintain the skin taut, a situation which is highly desirable in all areas and essential when planing close to the lips and eyes. The need for traction is especially great when the thumb and/or fingers are applied against adjacent areas just previously planed, hence rendered slippery because of the serosanguinous oozing.
The gauze used for obtaining traction is thus necessarily close to the rotating brush, with the ever-present hazard and nuisance of catching the gauze in the brush. This may in turn cause the rotating brush to be pulled toward the area covered by the gauze square, or the flexible shaft in the handpiece may break. In any event it is a noisy and upsetting occurrence for