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Fixation of osteotomies of the distal femur with absorbable, self-reinforced, poly-L-lactide plates

An experimental study on rabbits

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Abstract

Osteotomies of the distal femur were fixed with two self-reinforced poly-L-lactic acid (SR-PLLA) plates and metallic screws placed through the plates on each side of the femur in 23 adult rabbits. They were followed-up after 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks. After killing, radiological, histological, microradiographic and oxytetracycline fluorescence studies were performed. Except for one histologically confirmed fibrotic non-union at 24 weeks, the osteotomies healed, including one involving a rabbit which had suffered an ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture of unknown cause. No malformations were observed, and the macroscopically detected swelling was a normal postoperative reaction. This study showed that SR-PLLA plates implanted on both sides on the bone are suitable for the fixation of weight-bearing cancellous bone osteotomies in rabbits.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Helsinki University Central Hospital, Topeliuksenkatu 5, FIN-00260, Helsinki, Finland

    K. Koskikare, E. Hirvensalo, H. Pätiälä & P. Rokkanen

  2. Biomaterials Laboratory, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland

    T. Pohjonen & P. Törmälä

  3. Chirurgische Klinik der Ludwik-Maximilians-Universität, Klinikum Grosshadern, Marchionistrasse 15, München, Germany

    G. Lob

Authors
  1. K. Koskikare
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  2. E. Hirvensalo
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  3. H. Pätiälä
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  4. P. Rokkanen
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  5. T. Pohjonen
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  6. P. Törmälä
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  7. G. Lob
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Koskikare, K., Hirvensalo, E., Pätiälä, H. et al. Fixation of osteotomies of the distal femur with absorbable, self-reinforced, poly-L-lactide plates. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 116, 352–356 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00433989

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00433989

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