TITANIUM-NICKEL SHAPE-MEMORY CLAMPS IN SMALL BONE SURGERY

The therapeutic applications of titanium-nickel (TiNi) shape memory cl amps with optimized structural characteristics for fixation of small b one fragments in 64 patients are presented. Our fixative makes compres sive stabilization possible and enables a patient to start rehabilitat ion very soon after surgery. The supporting splint immobilization neve r exceeded 12 days. Three aspects were studied: bone union, wound heal ing problems and histology. Non-union occurred in 4 patients treated w ith only one fixative. Two clamps implanted in non-parallel planes see m to be advisable to exclude the need for longer immobilization. Neith er toxic manifestation nor episodes of an allergic reaction occurred. No suppuration appeared when a heat stimulus was supplied by using a c ontact resistance heater. Histological evaluation of the tissue coveri ng the implants in 22 patients did not reveal any adverse reaction. Ou r study suggests that by using TiNi clamps in an appropriate way, sati sfactory outcomes could be achieved with respect to both biofunctional ity and biocompatibility.