title: Stabilization of multiple rib fractures in a canine model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Operative stabilization is frequently used in the clinical treatment of multiple rib fractures (MRF); however, no ideal material exists for use in this fixation. This study investigates a newly developed biodegradable plate system for the stabilization of MRF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Silk fiber-reinforced polycaprolactone (SF/PCL) plates were developed for rib fracture stabilization and studied using a canine flail chest model. Adult mongrel dogs were divided into three groups: one group received the SF/PCL plates, one group received standard clinical steel plates, and the final group did not undergo operative fracture stabilization (n = 6 for each group). Radiographic, mechanical, and histologic examination was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the biodegradable material for the stabilization of the rib fractures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No nonunion and no infections were found when using SF-PCL plates. The fracture sites collapsed in the untreated control group, leading to obvious chest wall deformity not encountered in the two groups that underwent operative stabilization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our experimental study shows that the SF/PCL plate has the biocompatibility and mechanical strength suitable for fixation of MRF and is potentially ideal for the treatment of these injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Ke-Nan
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Fei
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Ju-Xian
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Xin-Yu
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering Lab, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: Qin-Xiong@163.com.
authors.forename: Xiong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: lordth1982@163.com.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001860:Bone Plates; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005409:Flail Chest / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D007366:Intercostal Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011859:Radiography; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Canine model; Fixation; Flail chest; Polycaprolactone; Rib fracture(s)