title: 1993 William J. Stickel Gold Award. Stability of absorbable fixation in basilar first metatarsal osteotomies.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the structural characteristics of 2.0-mm polyglycolic acid pins and 2.0-mm Steinmann pins in oblique closing base wedge osteotomies of the first metatarsal bone commonly used to correct metatarsus primus varus. Six pairs of fresh frozen cadaveric first metatarsal bones were osteotomized, fixated with either absorbable or stainless steel 2.0-mm pins, cemented in a specimen-holding jig, and tested with the Bionix Material Testing System. There was no significant difference in the mean ultimate force, ultimate displacement, or structural stiffness when comparing 2.0-mm polyglycolic acid pins and Steinmann pins in this model. The structural characteristics of 2.0-mm absorbable pins were the same as stainless steel pins at the time of initial placement in the oblique closing base wedge osteotomy of the first metatarsal.
authors.affiliation: Podiatric Residency Training Program, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Lavery
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Ashry
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Athanasiou
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001858:Bone Nails; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008684:Metatarsus / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013193:Stainless Steel
chemical_list: D013193:Stainless Steel