Background

External skeletal fixation (ESF) is an orthopedic surgical device. Application of the standard ESF is unfavorable in Thailand due to its expense, inadequate clinical trials and its complications.

Aim

The purpose of study is to determine the replacement of commercial connecting rod and clamps with thermoplastic resin.

Materials and Methods

Our study was divided into two parts including pilot study and clinical study. The pilot study was performed in 10 canine cadavers (5 forelimbs; 5 hindlimbs) to investigate the weight bearing and biomechanics properties of thermoplastic resin and technical complications after thermoplastic resin ESF application. The long bones, including radius-ulna and tibia-fibula, were osteotomized at the mid shaft to induce diaphyseal fracture. They were stabilized with the standard ESF and the applied fixators. Then, they were evaluated and compared for their weight bearing abilities. The clinical study was performed in 10 dogs and 3 cats presented with open fracture, comminuted fracture, and joint luxations.

Results

The pilot study results showed no significant difference between the two groups of study. Then, the clinical application of thermoplastic resin ESF was performed in 10 dogs and 3 cast. Our results showed that 10 from 13 patients had complete bone union (76.9%), whereas 2 from 13 patients had delayed bone union (15.38%) and only one patient had nonunion (7.6%). Postoperative complications during the trial such as skin infection, wound infection and implant failure were found. The thermoplastic resin ESF was easy to apply because of the flexibility of the materials.

Conclusion

The thermoplastic resin could be alternatively applied to replace the standard ESF for the orthopedic surgery.