Volume 59 (2009) Issue: 2009 No#1

Canine rib osteosynthesis by reinforced acrylate plate: a new surgical method for treating flail chest

Author(s): Donfrid B, Lozanče Olivera, Aleksić-Kovačević Sanja, Turina M

Keywords:dog, flail chest, rib osteosynthesis, polymethylmetacrylate, non-alkaline glass fibers

Polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA) is an artificial resin that has a wide application in a number of medical disciplines, surgery included. The use of acrylate is limited due to its modest mechanical features. Hence in this study, as an "in vivo" experiment on dogs, the usefulness of "reinforced acrylate" in the form of armored acrylate plates in the surgery of fractured ribs in flail chest has been valued. In earlier studies we have shown that polymethylmetacrylate, when reinforced with non-alkaline glass fibers, has improved mechanical characteristics (bending, stretching and crash resistance) compared with not reinforced, or in any other way strengthened acrylate. In this study the value of armored acrylate plates (AAP) in the sanation of flail chest in dogs has been verified, as well as its good biological tolerability as a new implant material in dogs. An original approach to surgical reposition and osteosynthesis of fractured ribs in dogs has been determined. An innovative approach to rib osteosynthesis with acrylate plates can be an adequate model for its application in human patients with unstable flail chest, which is often the result of injury or tumor excision.