No abstract

We report on 71 severely comminuted femoral shaft fractures that were operated on between 1980 and 1984 at the Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik Duisburg-Buchholz. The method of operative stabilization was plate osteosynthesis in two variations: In one group 39 fractures (ten open) were stabilized by plate osteosynthesis after anatomical reduction of the fractured area. The other group comprised 32 fractures (six open) fixed with a bridging-plate osteosynthesis, without preparation of the fracture zone. The rate of postoperative complications was strikingly diminished after bridging-plate osteosynthesis. Fracture healing occurred within 23 (16-32) weeks after bridging-plate osteosynthesis and within 36 (32-40) weeks after anatomical reduction. No special instrumentation or equipment is necessary to perform a bridging-plate osteosynthesis. The patient rests in a supine position. There is no need for intraoperative image-intensifier control. For operative treatment of severely comminuted femoral fractures we consider the technique of bridging-plate osteosynthesis advantageous, especially in multiply injured patients.

The significance of postoperative mechanical stability to bone repair of comminuted fractures was investigated in an animal experimental study comparing four commonly employed operative methods of fracture stabilization: 1. Plate osteosynthesis combined with lag screw fixation; 2. Bridging plate osteosynthesis; 3. External fixation; 4. Static interlocking intramedullary nailing. As fracture model, a triple wedge osteotomy of the right sheep tibia was used. In regard to biomechanical strength, the method which gave best postoperative stability, plate osteosynthesis in combination with interfragmentary lag screws, did not result in the best bone repair. In this experimental setup, stabilization by bridging methods, inducing bone healing by secondary intention, gave better bone regeneration in the experimental fractures.

We give a preliminary report of ten patients with fresh dislocations of the acromioclavicular joint (Tossy III). All ten were operated with suture of the torn ligaments and indirect fixation of the acromioclavicular joint with a monocerclage wire passed around the coracoid process and the clavicle. Removal of metal was done 8 weeks later. None of the wires broke, and there were no problems with wound healing. Control X-rays under stress revealed stable acromioclavicular joints in all cases.