Biomechanical study of the effectiveness of unilocking T-plate systems for prophylactic internal fixation of the radial osteocutaneous donor site

Abstract

Introduction: Prophylactic internal fixation (PIF), with a bone plate in either the anterior (over the section defect) or posterior (on intact cortex) position, has substantially reduced the incidence of fracture at the donor site of the radial osteocutaneous free flap. This study uses the sheep tibia model to compare the effectiveness of new T-shaped titanium plates utilising a unilocking screw system with a 3.5 mm steel plate and bicortical screw fixation system commonly applied for PIF.