J Bone Joint Surg Br
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J Bone Joint Surg Br · Nov 2007
Reconstruction of a Mason type-III fracture of the radial head using four different fixation techniques. An experimental study.
We have evaluated four different fixation techniques for the reconstruction of a standard Mason type-III fracture of the radial head in a sawbone model. The outcome measurements were the quality of the reduction, and stability. A total of 96 fractures was created. ⋯ There was a significant difference in the displacement at 50 N for the miniplate (parallel, 4.8 mm (SD 2.8), perpendicular, 4.8 mm (SD 1.7)) vs FFS (parallel, 2.1 mm (SD 0.8), perpendicular, 1.9 mm (SD 0.7)), miniscrews (parallel, 1.8 mm (SD 0.5), perpendicular, 2.3 mm (SD 0.8)) and K-wires (parallel, 2.2 mm (SD 1.8), perpendicular, 2.4 mm (SD 0.7; Tukey's post hoc tests, p < 0.001)). The fixation of a standard Mason type-III fracture in a sawbone model using the FFS system provides a better quality of reduction than that when using conventional techniques. There was a significantly better stability using FFS implants, miniscrews and K-wires than when using miniplates.