Biomechanical evaluation of cranial flap fixation techniques: comparative experimental study of suture, stainless steel wire, and rivetlike titanium clamp.
OBJECTIVE
To study the techniques of cranial flap fixation (suture, stainless steel wire, and rivetlike titanium clamp) on biomechanics.


METHODS
Twenty-four cadaver craniotomy flaps were reattached with either suture, stainless steel wire, or rivetlike titanium clamp. Cranial flap fixation was timed and measured for the offset between cranial flap with craniotomy skull for every fixation technique. Load-bearing tests were performed by applying an external force until the failure of the fixation system.


RESULTS
Rivetlike titanium clamp required significantly less time to fix (94 +/- 13 seconds) than either suture (172 +/- 14 seconds) or stainless steel wire (399 +/- 45 seconds). The offset of cranial flap after rivetlike titanium clamp fixation (0.20 +/- 0.12 mm) was significantly smaller than either suture (2.20 +/- 0.24 mm) or stainless steel wire (1.32 +/- 0.34 mm). Rivetlike titanium clamp was also stronger than suture and stainless steel wire in the load-bearing test.


CONCLUSIONS
Rivetlike titanium clamp is easy to use, requires less time consumption, and shows accuracy and strength.
Wang
Yi Rong
YR
Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Su
Zhi Peng
ZP
Yang
Shu Xu
SX
Guo
Bi Yun
BY
Zeng
Yan Jun
YJ
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001858:Bone Nails; D001864:Bone Wires; D002102:Cadaver; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D013193:Stainless Steel; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014025:Titanium
D013193:Stainless Steel; D014025:Titanium