title: Strength of implanted carbon fibers. Studies of the lumbar spine in goats.
abstract: The L3-4 supraspinous and interspinous ligaments in 10 goats were replaced with carbon fibers stabilized with silk-suture seizing. The implants were removed after 3 weeks in 5 animals and after 3 months in the other 5. The maximum traction strength of nonimplanted slings was 157 +/- 9 kg (M +/- SD). After implantation, the strength was reduced to 136 +/- 17 kg, and after 3 months to 107 +/- 9 kg. However, the maximum strength of the spinous processes was 71 +/- 19 kg, which was less than the strength of 3-month implants. We concluded that the carbon fiber sling stabilized with silk sutures could be used for replacement of the interspinous ligament.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Research in Surgery, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Olesen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Levander
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kofoed
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002244:Carbon; D006041:Goats; D019476:Insect Proteins; D008022:Ligaments / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011506:Proteins; D047011:Silk; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D019476:Insect Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D047011:Silk; D002244:Carbon