Ann Trauma Acute Care | Volume 5, Issue 1 | Research Article | Open Access
Emre Karadeniz*
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Kocaeli University Hospital, School of Medicine, Turkey
*Correspondance to: Emre Karadeniz
Fulltext PDFBackground: This study aims to introduce a new Kirschner-wire (K-wire) locking and compressing implant called EFECE, and to evaluate the EFECE system biomechanical resistance on medial tibia plateau fracture simulation. EFECE implants are cylinder-shaped with 5 mm length, 8 mm radius and there is a hole for insertion of a 1.2 mm K-wire. The implant comprises two pieces attached to each other with threads. Inside these implants are gloves for the insertion of three magnetically active balls. The locking mechanism is applied with the help of the balls in the cone-shaped gloves. A medial plateau fracture was simulated in sheep tibia. After reduction, first a 1.2 mm K-wire and then two EFECE implants were reciprocally inserted at the distal end of the fracture line to function as a buttress. Second and third K-wires were inserted at least 0.5 mm away from the joint line, and two pairs of reciprocal EFECE implants pulled on these two K-wires, and then the EFECE implants were compressed and tightened using a hand set. Increasing vertical compression force was applied to these systems. The maximum force and displacement were evaluated. Results: After 10 experiments, there were no EFECE implant failures on the K-wires. The mean maximum force was 2509 Newton (1706-2999N). The mean displacement was 22.5 mm (15 mm to 31 mm). Conclusion: The EFECE system fixation in tibia medial plateau fracture simulation is sufficient and can be used for fracture fixation. Compression along the K-wires, percutaneous surgical technique, and implant removal with magnets may change our surgical daily practice.
Fracture fixation; Internal fixators; Bone wires; Tibial plateau fracture; Osteosynthesis
Karadeniz E. EFECE: A New Locking and Compressing Device with Kirschner-Wire. A Biomechanical Evaluation of the EFECE System on Tibia Plateau Fracture Simulation. Ann Trauma Acute Care. 2021; 5(1): 1025..