title: Fixation of femoral shaft osteotomy with intramedullary metallic or absorbable rod: an experimental study on growing dogs.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an intramedullary self-reinforced polyglycolic acid (SR-PGA), self-reinforced poly-L-lactic acid (SR-PLLA) and a metallic rod on growing bone and their applicability in the fixation of a femoral shaft osteotomy in growing dogs. In 5 dogs, 12 weeks of age, a SR-PGA rod and in another 5 dogs a SR-PLLA rod, both 4.7 mm in diameter and 60 mm in length, were introduced into the intramedullary cavity of the right femur to fix a femoral shaft osteotomy. In a third group of 5 dogs the femoral shaft osteotomy was fixed with an intramedullary metallic rod of equal size. The follow-up intervals were 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 weeks. Solid union of the osteotomy without secondary displacement was seen radiographically 6 weeks after the operation in all dogs. Neither an intramedullary SR-PGA-, SR-PLLA- nor metallic rod caused any significant disturbance to the longitudinal growth of the operated femur. Narrowing of the femoral neck and a slight valgization of the angle between the femoral neck and shaft without any functional disability was seen 48 weeks after the operation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miettinen
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Mäkelä
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rokkanen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Törmälä
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D005269:Femur / Q000254:growth & development / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D007773:Lactates; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008670:Metals; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011091:Polyesters; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D011108:Polymers
chemical_list: D007773:Lactates; D008670:Metals; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)