Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Some research shows that the use of cerclage bands can even damage fracture healing and bring about fracture nonunion or delayed healing.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of cerclage bands of three sizes on fracture healing.
METHODS: Totally 45 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups, and the femoral shaft fracture animal models of non-weight-bearing were established. The three groups were all used with intramedullary fixation, and the cerclage bands were 3, 6, and 9 mm respectively. The effects of the three groups were evaluated and compared through the gross observation, the bone mineral density, the diameter of callus and histological examination were measured and performed at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after operation in order to understand the role of cerclage bands in fracture fixation and fracture healing.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At 4 and 6 weeks after fixation, the bone mineral density in the 6 mm group was superior to that in the 9 mm group (P < 0.05). The bone mineral density at 4 and 6 weeks after fixation and the diameter of callus at 2, 4, 6 weeks after fixation were both lower in the 9 mm group than the other groups (P < 0.05). The number of new trabecular bone and osteoblasts in the 6 mm group was higher than that in the other groups. These findings indicated that 6 mm cerclage bans has a best effect on fracture healing under the same binding force.