A. Kayikcioglu et al., Two new intramedullary implant designs for phalanx fixation in digital replantation: An experimental study, ANN PL SURG, 45(3), 2000, pp. 258-263
Bone fixation in digital replantation must provide adequate rigidity, and m
ust be applied in a fast and easy manner. Various fixation methods have bee
n used so far with certain advantages and disadvantages. The authors report
two new intramedullary proximal phalangeal implant designs to secure two a
mputated hone segments tightly. They compare their intramedullary implants
with commonly applied K-wire fixation methods and plate fixation via biomec
hanical analysis in terms of bending rigidity and distraction strength. The
ir two-sided asymmetrical screw provided the highest rigidity and distracti
on strength, whereas the hook-trap system was nearly equal to cross-K-wire
fixation, Intramedullary bone fixation may be a feasible method of bone fix
ation, and resorbable implant materials and different implant configuration
s deserve further investigation.