HEAT-CONDUCTION OF FIXATOR PINS WITH POLYMETHYLMETHACRYLATE EXTERNAL FIXATION

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of thermal condu ction along the fixation pins associated with acrylic external fixator s and to develop a means of minimizing the potential for thermal injur y. The data suggest that the degree of temperature conducted with 1.9 cm diameter acrylic external fixators was of minimal clinical signific ance if maintained a distance of one centimeter from the patient's tis sues. Larger diameter columns increase the potential for injury, howev er, this can be minimized with the use of a constant saline drip at th e pin-acrylic interface to facilitate heat loss.