PEEK external fixator is better for repair of tibial fractures

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2015.38.014

Abstract

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Traditional external fixation of tibial fractures exhibits obvious stress shielding that delays fracture healing. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material has a similar elastic modulus to the bone, and it will be possible to address this clinical problem.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of PEEK external fixator versus traditionally external fixator in the treatment of tibial fractures.
METHODS: Clinical data of 86 patients with tibial fractures, including 64 males and 22 females, aged 24-78 years (mean age of 56 years), were retrospectively reviewed. There were 30 cases of closed fractures and 56 cases of open fractures; 32 cases received flat-patient surgery and 54 cases underwent emergency surgery. All the patients were divided into two groups according to different fixation methods: PEEK group and traditional external fixator group. After operation, patients were checked regularly and at the last follow-up, functional recovery was evaluated according to Johner-Wruhs criteria.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All the patients were followed up for 5-20 months. The mean fixator removal time of the PEEK group was 8.7 weeks and the mean duration of fracture healing was 4.2 months. The mean fixator removal time of the traditional external fixator group was 10.6 weeks and the mean duration of fracture healing was 6.1 months. At the last follow-up, in the PEEK group, 26 cases were assessed as excellent, 13 as good, 4 as poor; in the traditional external fixator group, 19 cases were assessed as excellent, 13 as good, 11 as poor. These findings indicate that PEEK external fixator for different types of tibial fractures can maintain the fracture stability, promote fracture healing and contribute to the functional recovery of the affected limbs.

中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料；骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性；组织工程

Key words: 生物材料, 骨生物材料, 聚醚醚酮树脂(PEEK, 胫骨骨折, 外固定器, 回顾性分析

CLC Number:

R318

Zhang Mi, Liu Yang, Tan Jun-feng, Mei Hong-jun, Zhang Hong-qi. PEEK external fixator is better for repair of tibial fractures[J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2015, 19(38): 6145-6149.

Figures/Tables 3

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