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Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Mechanical testing of a device for subcutaneous internal anterior pelvic ring fixation versus external pelvic ring fixation

Authors: Georg Osterhoff, Simon Tiziani, Stephen J Ferguson, Gregor Spreiter, Max J Scheyerer, Gian-Leza Spinas, Guido A Wanner, Hans-Peter Simmen, Clément ML Werner

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

Although useful in the emergency treatment of pelvic ring injuries, external fixation is associated with pin tract infections, the patient’s limited mobility and a restricted surgical accessibility to the lower abdomen. In this study, the mechanical stability of a subcutaneous internal anterior fixation (SIAF) system is investigated.

Methods

A standard external fixation and a SIAF system were tested on pairs of Polyoxymethylene testing cylinders using a universal testing machine. Each specimen was subjected to a total of 2000 consecutive cyclic loadings at 1 Hz with sinusoidal lateral compression/distraction (+/−50 N) and torque (+/− 0.5 Nm) loading alternating every 200 cycles. Translational and rotational stiffness were determined at 100, 300, 500, 700 and 900 cycles.

Results

There was no significant difference in translational stiffness between the SIAF and the standard external fixation when compared at 500 (p = .089), 700 (p = .081), and 900 (p = .266) cycles. Rotational stiffness observed for the SIAF was about 50 percent higher than the standard external fixation at 300 (p = .005), 500 (p = .020), and 900 (p = .005) cycles. No loosening or failure of the rod-pin/rod-screw interfaces was seen.

Conclusions

In comparison with the standard external fixation system, the tested device for subcutaneous internal anterior fixation (SIAF) in vitro has similar translational and superior rotational stiffness.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Mechanical testing of a device for subcutaneous internal anterior pelvic ring fixation versus external pelvic ring fixation
Authors
Georg Osterhoff
Simon Tiziani
Stephen J Ferguson
Gregor Spreiter
Max J Scheyerer
Gian-Leza Spinas
Guido A Wanner
Hans-Peter Simmen
Clément ML Werner
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-15-111

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