Fixation of femoral shaft osteotomy with an intramedullary composite rod: an experimental study on dogs with a two-year follow-up.
A novel composite material with an ultra-high strength and a low elastic modulus called carbon fibre-reinforced liquid crystalline polymer (LCP/CF) has been developed. An experimental diaphyseal osteotomy of the proximal femur in fourteen Beagle dogs was fixed with an intramedullary LCP/CF rod of 4.5 mm in diameter and 80 mm in length. The radiological follow-up intervals were 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 52, and 104 weeks. Five dogs were killed at 1 year and three dogs at 2 years for histological studies; six dogs were retained for longer follow-up. Radiographs showed an uncomplicated healing of the diaphyseal osteotomy with an external callus formation in all dogs in 12 weeks. Histological analysis revealed a benign host tissue response with few inflammatory cells. Both bone and fibrous tissue were seen at the LCP/CF-host tissue interface. The cross-sectional cortical area of the operated femur was slightly greater than that of the control femur in the 2-year follow-up. LCP/CF showed promising properties for high-load applications.
Kettunen
J
J
Department of Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland.
Mäkelä
A
A
Miettinen
H
H
Nevalainen
T
T
Heikkilä
M
M
Törmälä
P
P
Rokkanen
P
P
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002244:Carbon; D004285:Dogs / Q000601:surgery*; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000662:veterinary*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D020007:Implants, Experimental / Q000662:veterinary*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000662:veterinary; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000662:veterinary; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010118:Oxytetracycline; D011108:Polymers; D011859:Radiography
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D002244:Carbon; D010118:Oxytetracycline