Journal of orthopaedic trauma
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Clinical Trial
Effects of varying pulsatile lavage pressure on cancellous bone structure and fracture healing.
To study the effects of variations in pulsatile lavage irrigation pressure on the rate of new bone formation and the degree to which cellular elements are removed from cancellous bone after fracture. ⋯ There are presently no recommended guidelines as to the optimal irrigation pressure, and this study is the first to address the effects of variations in pressure on bone healing. The results of this study indicate that early new bone formation in an intraarticular fracture rabbit model is inhibited by irrigation pressure of 50 psi or greater. Additionally, this study demonstrates a direct relationship between irrigation pressure and the amount of cellular material removed from the trabecula at the irrigation site. Surgeons should be aware of the potentially detrimental effects of using irrigation pressures at or above 50 psi in the treatment of fractures.