Ex vivo biomechanical comparison of pin fixation techniques for canine distal femoral physeal fractures.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the biomechanical properties of five intramedullary (IM) pin fixation techniques for Salter-Harris type I fractures of the distal femur in dogs.


METHODS
Randomized, one-way factorial design composed of five treatment groups: (1) single IM pin, (2) dynamic IM crossed pins, (3) paired convergent pins, (4) crossed pins, and (5) crossed polyglycolic acid (PGA) rods.


METHODS
Forty pairs of cadaver canine femurs.


METHODS
One femur of each pair was manually fractured and subsequently repaired; the contralateral intact femur served as its control. Each femur was loaded in torsion until-failure occurred and load-deformation curves were generated.


RESULTS
The crossed-pin technique sustained the greatest load to failure (116.8%) followed by the paired convergent pins (104.8%), dynamic IM pins (90.6%), single IM pin (72.1%), and crossed PGA rods (71.9%). Statistically significant differences in strength at failure were detected between the crossed-pin and single IM pin and the crossed-pin and crossed PGA rod techniques. All fixation techniques underwent greater deformation (1.5 times as much) and had a lower stiffness (66% to 75%) compared with the intact controls; however, there was no significant difference between techniques. Failure in the paired convergent and crossed-pin techniques occurred by fracture of the bone; failure in the other techniques occurred by distraction at the fracture site.


CONCLUSIONS
The rotational stability of any of the fixation techniques appears to be primarily determined by the ability to prevent distraction and maintain interdigitation of the physis.


CONCLUSIONS
When choosing a particular fixation technique for repair of a distal femoral physeal fracture, consideration should be given to the technique's relative biomechanical merits.
Sukhiani
H R
HR
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Canada.
Holmberg
D L
DL
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000662:veterinary*; D002102:Cadaver; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005269:Femur / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D016268:Internal Fixators / Q000662:veterinary*; D011859:Radiography