Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Locking compression plate (LCP) is a new screw-plate system developed by combining the traditional compression plate techniques with the principles of internal fixator. Compared with traditional plates, LCP system has many advantages in the treatment of fracture．
OBJECTIVE: To analyze biomechanical principle of LCP and common causes for its failure.
METHODS: The articles related to LCP in CNKI database, Pubmed database from January 2004 to October 2010 were retrieved by computer with the key words of “Locking Compression Plate, Fracture, Internal fixation, Failure” in Chinese or in English. The articles related to LCP, and recently published or published in authoritative magazines in the same field were selected. A total of 126 literatures were obtained from the computer screen, and 18 documents of them were involved for summarization according to inclusion criteria.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The fixation principle of LCP is not rely on the friction between nickelclad and cortical bone, but on angle stability of nickelclad and locking screw and pullout strength of screw and cortical bone to achieve the fixation of fracture. From the large number of literature reports, most of the reason for failure of internal fixation is not on nickelclad itself, but on iatrogenic fault, such as short nickelclad, gap oversized between nickelclad and facies ossea, deviation of nickelclad and backbone axis, and inappropriate selection of screw type. The LCP system is relative complex, patients need to follow the biomechanical principles and adequate preoperative preparation, in order to avoid the occurrence of complications as much as possible, and to achieve the best therapeutic effect.