A biomechanical comparison of screw and wire fixation with and without polymethylmethacrylate re-enforcement for acetabular osteotomy stabilization in dogs.

OBJECTIVE

Compare the biomechanical characteristics of screw and wire fixation with and without polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) re-enforcement for acetabular osteotomy stabilization in dogs.

ANIMALS

Pelves removed from 8 adult mixed breed dogs weighing between 25 and 30 kg.

PROCEDURE

The pubic symphysis of each pelvis was split and a central transverse acetabular osteotomy was performed. One hemipelvis from each dog was stabilized with the composite fixation (interfragmentary Kirschner wire, two screws and a figure-of-eight orthopedic wire with PMMA). The contralateral hemipelves was stabilized with an interfragmentary Kirschner wire, two screws, and a figure-of-eight orthopedic wire without PMMA. All hemipelves were tested in bending by using a materials testing machine at a cross head speed of 5 mm/min. An extensometer was placed on the dorsomedial surface of the hemipelves centered over acetabular osteotomy to record distraction of the osteotomy during loading. A load/deformation curve and a load/distraction curve was produced for each hemipelvis. The slope for the initial linear portion of the load/deformation curve and the load/distraction curve, yield load and maximum load sustained were compared between repair groups using a paired t-test with P < .05 considered significant.

RESULTS

The slope of the load/deformation curve was significantly greater (P = .001) for hemipelves stabilized with the composite fixation (mean +/- SD: 69 +/- 18 N/mm) compared with hemipelves stabilized without PMMA (mean +/- SD: 39 +/- 8 N/mm). There was no significant difference (P = .593) between repair groups in the slope of the load/distraction curves as measured on the extensometer. Yield load was significantly greater (P = .0002) for hemipelves stabilized with the composite fixation (mean +/- SD: 184 +/- 25 N) compared to hemipelves stabilized without PMMA (mean +/- SD: 74 +/- 12 N). Maximum load sustained was also significantly greater (P = .013) for hemipelves stabilized with the composite fixation (mean +/- SD: 396 +/- 71 N) compared to hemipelves stabilized without PMMA (mean +/- SD: 265 +/- 94 N). Failure of hemipelves stabilized with the composite fixation occurred primarily by ventrolateral bending of the cranial and caudal pelvic segments at the osteotomy site. Failure of hemipelves stabilized without PMMA occurred by ventrolateral bending of the cranial and caudal pelvic segments at the osteotomy site with pronounced concurrent ventrolateral rotation of the cranial pelvic segment.

CONCLUSION

PMMA improves the mechanical characteristics of acetabular fracture fixation, at least in part by neutralization of rotational forces. The results of this study justify use of PMMA as a component of the composite fixation when repairing acetabular fractures.