A clinical, radiographic, and cost comparison of cerclage techniques: wires vs cables.

The cerclage technique is used to secure femoral fractures, allografts, and plates. It is not clear whether wires or cables are better suited for this technique. A retrospective radiographic review of the 6,460 total hip arthroplasties done between 1986 and 2003 was performed. Wires/cables were used in 249 hips. It was found that one cable was broken (0.92%) compared with 11 wires (1.72%) (P < .5373). It was found that there was no statistical difference in Harris hip function or pain scores between patients with wires and those with cables or between those with broken wires/cables and those without broken wires/cables. The Luque wires, which cost 29.79 US dollars each, performed equally to the cables, which cost 275.40 US dollars each, suggesting that wiring may be the preferred cerclage technique.