Fixation of osteotomies of the distal femur with absorbable, self-reinforced, poly-L-lactide plates. An experimental study on rabbits.
Osteotomies of the distal femur were fixed with two self-reinforced poly-L-lactic acid (SR-PLLA) plates and metallic screws placed through the plates on each side of the femur in 23 adult rabbits. They were followed-up after 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks. After killing, radiological, histological, microradiographic and oxytetracycline fluorescence studies were performed. Except for one histologically confirmed fibrotic non-union at 24 weeks, the osteotomies healed, including one involving a rabbit which had suffered an ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture of unknown cause. No malformations were observed, and the macroscopically detected swelling was a normal postoperative reaction. This study showed that SR-PLLA plates implanted on both sides on the bone are suitable for the fixation of weight-bearing cancellous bone osteotomies in rabbits.
Koskikare
K
K
Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Hirvensalo
E
E
Pätiälä
H
H
Rokkanen
P
P
Pohjonen
T
T
Törmälä
P
P
Lob
G
G
D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008852:Microradiography; D010012:Osteogenesis; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D011091:Polyesters; D011817:Rabbits; D014945:Wound Healing
D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide)