title: When should a synthetic casting material be used in preference to plaster-of-Paris? A cost analysis and guidance for casting departments.
abstract: An accurate cost analysis of the use of one of the new synthetic casting materials (Cellacast) compared with plaster-of-Paris (Gypsona) was undertaken over a 3-month period in the fracture clinic of Cardiff Royal Infirmary. The mean duration of usage before failure for synthetic forearm, scaphoid and below-knee casts was found to be approximately twice that of plaster casts. The use of synthetic casting materials was found to be cost-effective in situations where there was thought to be a high probability that structural failure of the cast would occur. Guidelines for the use of plaster-of-Paris and synthetic casting materials are presented.
authors.affiliation: Cardiff Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Dibble
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Walters
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D002133:Calcium Sulfate; D002370:Casts, Surgical / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004868:Equipment Failure; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors; D014852:Wales
chemical_list: D002133:Calcium Sulfate