title: Biodegradable implants for Pipkin fractures.
abstract: The current study was designed to clarify whether biodegradable poly-L/DL lactide pins provide an operative alternative for fixation of Pipkin fractures. Nine patients with Pipkin fractures (one with Pipkin Type I, one with Pipkin Type II, and seven with Pipkin Type IV fractures) were treated surgically between 1996 and 2002. In all patients, the femoral head fractures were fixed with biodegradable, 2.7-mm and 2.0-mm polylactide pins. Eight patients were followed up for an average of 54.2 months. One patient died before the final followup. Eight fractures healed uneventfully. In one patient, a persisting femoral head defect led to posttraumatic arthritis requiring insertion of a femoral endoprosthesis at 1 year. The average range of motion of the affected hips of all patients at followup was 109 degrees -0 degrees -0 degrees in flexion and extension. External and internal rotation averaged 37 degrees -0 degrees -29 degrees . One patient had Brooker Grade I heterotopic ossification develop, and another had a Grade II heterotopic develop. Merle d'Aubigne and Postel ratings showed two excellent and five satisfactory results (average score, 13.1). Adverse effects from the polylactide implants were not observed. Pipkin fractures can be fixed successfully with biodegradable polylactide pins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Cologne, Germany. axel.prokop@uni-koeln.de
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prokop
authors.forename: Hanns-Joachim
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Helling
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: Chira
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Udomkaewkanjana
authors.forename: Klaus Emil
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Rehm
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D001858:Bone Nails; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016896:Treatment Outcome