Overview
Project status: In progress
For decades, plate osteosynthesis has been a well-established procedure for the treatment of long bone fractures. The development of a new plate-screw design caused a revolutionary use of plates to fix fractures.
On the other hand, a novel technique of plate insertion has been invented; this minimal invasive surgical method is more demanding than the conventional open approach, but in our experience the healing process is better and shows fewer complications.
- External collaborators
Martin Wullschleger, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Australia
- Organisational unit
- Lead unit Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation Other units
Contact
-
Dr Roland Steck
Traumatology Research Group
Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI)
Queensland University of Technology
60 Musk Avenue
Kelvin Grove, Brisbane QLD 4059
AUSTRALIAPhone: +61 7 3138 6282
Fax: +61 7 3138 6030
Email: r.steck@qut.edu.au
Details
Figure 1: Artificial sheep femur model with external fixator and internal fixator (plate)
A previous study, performed so far by our group in Switzerland, could not illustrate any difference between the both approaches for fracture healing.
This study will be carried out in a sheep model, including a new trauma model. After initially temporary external fixation and soft-tissue recovery, the definitive plate fixation will be performed either over a minimal invasive or by an open surgical approach.
Outcome variables are for the soft-tissue condition recording, measurements of compartment and partial oxygen pressure in the related muscles, blood sample examinations and after sacrifice histological analysis. The fracture healing will be monitored by radiographies and at the end, after six and twelve weeks, the callus and bone healing process will be noted by CT-scans, mechanical testings and histological analysis.
Figure 2: X-ray of a distal femur fracture fixed with an internal fixator and callus formation (medially). Figure 3: CT-scan of explanted sheep femur with callus formation around the fracture site.
We expect that the soft-tissue and fracture healing will be faster and stronger after the minimal invasive operation technique. Under that evidence, this method could be performed further on in clinical situations to improve the healing process for thousands of patients. Finally, further investigations to adapt and refine this procedure and its influencing factors might be undertaken.
