title: The use of methylmethacrylate as an external fixator in children and adolescents.
abstract: Methylmethacrylate has been used as an external fixator on 52 bones in 36 children and adolescents. There were 36 osteotomies and 16 selected fractures of long bones. The application of the acrylic cement onto 229 half-pins was performed with the use of flexible plastic tubes, in all but two patients. Union in the desired position was achieved in 51 bones. Delayed union occurred in one and required internal fixation. In the rest of the cases, there were only a few minor complications. The methylmethacrylate appears to be a stable fixator for osteotomized and fractured bones in young patients. The method is practical, easily performed, and of low cost.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Pendeli Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Demetriades
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nikolaides
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Filiopoulos
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hager
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003102:Colloids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016267:External Fixators / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D020366:Methylmethacrylate; D008768:Methylmethacrylates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D001843:Bone Cements; D003102:Colloids; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D020366:Methylmethacrylate