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33rd Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings


Stream:   |   Session:
Date/Time: 30-11--0001 (00:00 - 00:00)   |   Location:
Comparative Biomechanical Analysis of Equine Accessory Carpal Bone Fracture Repair: Cortical Screws in Lag Fashion vs. X-Plate Technique
Gernhardt J1, Reuter T2, Mählmann K*1, Schulze N3, Lischer C*1
1Freie Universität Berlin, Equine Clinic, Berlin, Germany, 2ICM - Institut Chemnitzer Maschinen- und Anlagenbau e.V., Chemnitz, Germany, 3Equine Clinic Seeburg, Dallgow-Döberitz, Germany.

Objectives:

Fractures of the accessory carpal bone (ACB) in a vertical plane are rarely surgically repaired because of the convex shaped bone. Conservative treatment leads to non-union, therefore appropriate methods of surgical fracture fixation would be desirable. The objective was to compare the feasibility and biomechanical stability of two techniques for fracture fixation of vertical plane fractures of the ACB.

Methods:

Preliminary, eight ACB were compressed to failure in a four-column testing machine to determine the bone’s maximum strength. Subsequently, twenty cadaver distal limbs were randomly assigned into two groups (n=10). A vertical plane fracture was created palmar to the extensor sulcus with an oscillating saw. Fracture fixation in group 1 was accomplished by two 4.5mm cortical screws in lag fashion. The fractures of group 2 were repaired using a medium angular stable x-plate with four 2.7mm locking screws and a 4.5mm cortical screw in lag fashion. Postoperatively, the ACB were removed, and the maximum strength of the bones was determined as in the preliminary study.

Results:

Adequate fracture fixation was confirmed visually after removal of the ACB. Compression tests showed the highest maximum strength for the native bone (mean=11.26kN) which was significantly different to the construct of group 1 (mean=6.82kN, p=0.0015) and group 2 (mean=7.91kN, p=0.0221). The difference between both surgical techniques was not significant. All implants showed plastic deformation.

Conclusions:

Based on this study both techniques were feasible for fracture fixation of vertical plane fractures of the ACB. The maximum strength was lower compared to the native bone.

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