Pullout strength of adaption screws in thyroid cartilage.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the pullout strength of adaption screws in laryngeal cartilage and its relationship to drill hole and screw diameter.


METHODS
Screw pullout strength in human cadaver thyroid cartilage was measured using a load cell. Screw sizes of 1.3, 1.5, and 2.0 mm were tested using drill hole diameters of 0.76, 1.1, and 1.5 mm.


RESULTS
Maximum pullout strength was achieved using a drill hole diameter of 0.76 mm and a 1.5 mm screw. Pullout strength for this combination was 27.5 N.


CONCLUSIONS
Adaption screws can be used in thyroid cartilage but pullout strengths will be less than in bone. Drill holes for screws in thyroid cartilage should be smaller than those used for cortical bone. Maximum strength will be achieved using a 1.5 mm screw in a 0.76 mm drill hole.
Plant
R L
RL
Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, USA.
Pinczower
E F
EF
D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D012421:Rupture; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013957:Thyroid Cartilage / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*