Comparison of self-designed self-navigating plate and conventional locking plate in the treatment of femoral shaft fractures in goats

Abstract

Objective To compare the stabilisation efficacy of a self-designed self-navigating plate and a conventional locking plate in the treatment of femoral shaft fractures in goats.Methods The femoral shaft fracture (32-A3.2 type of AO classification) models were established in 40 adult male goats from October 2011 to January 2013.The models were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =20).The experimental group was managed with the self-navigating plate while the control group with locking plate.X-ray examinations were done at 2,4,6 and 8 weeks postoperatively to observe fracture healing.The 2 groups were compared in terms of operative time,blood loss,intraoperative fluoroscopy time and fracture healing.Results Operations were completed smoothly in 2 groups except for one goat died of intraoperative anesthetic accident.Fractures healed well postoperatively in both groups.The operative time (47.5 ± 6.3 min) and blood loss (29.0 ± 7.4 mL) in the experimental group were significantly less than in the control group (65.6 ± 5.9 min and 38.7 ± 8.0 mL) (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in intraoperative fluoroscopy time or fracture healing time (P ＞ 0.05).X-ray examinations at 8 weeks postoperation showed that fracture lines disappeared in the 39 goats,callus clearly formed,fractures healed well,implants were located appropriately without breaking or loosening.Conclusions Compared with conventional locking plate in the treatment of femoral shaft fractures in goats,our self-designed self-navigating plate may shorten operative time and reduce blood loss,but shows no significant difference in intraoperative fluoroscopy time or fracture healing time.This self-navigating plate has a potential to be used in clinic. Key words: Femoral fractures; Fracture fixation, internal; Bone plates; Goats