Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tianjin Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.
Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
Technol Health Care. 2024;32(6):4681-4694. doi: 10.3233/THC-240928.
Rib fractures are one of the most common blunt injuries, accounting for approximately 10% of all trauma patients and 60% of thoracic injuries. Multiple rib fractures, especially flail chest, can cause local chest wall softening due to the loss of rib support, leading to paradoxical breathing, severe pain, and a high likelihood of accompanying lung contusions.
This study investigates the mechanical properties of a new polymer material rib internal fixator to provide theoretical data for its clinical use.
We conducted in vitro mechanical tests on 20 fresh caudal fin sheep ribs, using different fracture models across four randomly assigned groups (five ribs per group). The fixators were assessed using non-destructive three-point bending, torsion, and unilateral compression tests, with results averaged. Additionally, finite element analysis compared stress and strain in the polymer fixators and titanium alloy rib plates during bending and torsion tests.
In vitro tests showed that the polymer fixators handled loads effectively up to a maximum without increase beyond a certain displacement. Bending and torsion tests via finite element analysis showed the polymer material sustained lower maximum equivalent stresses (84.455 MPa and 14.426 MPa) compared to titanium alloy plates (219.88 MPa and 46.47 MPa).
The polymer rib fixator demonstrated sufficient strength for rib fracture fixation and was superior in stress management compared to titanium alloy plates in both bending and torsion tests, supporting its potential clinical application.
肋骨骨折是最常见的钝性损伤之一，约占所有创伤患者的 10%，占胸部损伤的 60%。多发性肋骨骨折，特别是连枷胸，由于肋骨支撑的丧失会导致局部胸壁软化，引起反常呼吸、剧烈疼痛，并伴有肺挫伤的可能性很高。
本研究探讨了一种新型聚合物材料肋骨内固定器的力学性能，为其临床应用提供理论数据。
我们对 20 根新鲜的尾部羊肋骨进行了体外力学测试，使用了四种随机分组（每组 5 根肋骨）的不同骨折模型。使用无损三点弯曲、扭转和单侧压缩试验评估固定器，并对结果进行平均。此外，有限元分析比较了弯曲和扭转试验中聚合物固定器和钛合金肋骨板的应力和应变。
体外测试表明，聚合物固定器在达到最大载荷之前可以有效地处理载荷，而在超过一定位移后不会增加。通过有限元分析进行的弯曲和扭转试验表明，与钛合金板（219.88 MPa 和 46.47 MPa）相比，聚合物材料的最大等效应力（84.455 MPa 和 14.426 MPa）较低。
聚合物肋骨固定器在肋骨骨折固定方面表现出足够的强度，并且在弯曲和扭转试验中在应力管理方面优于钛合金板，支持其在临床应用中的潜力。
