Stability Comparison of The Screwed and Unscrewed Kirschner Wire Used in Supracondylar Humerus Fractures In Children: ANSYS 16.0 Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

Objective: Supracondylar humerus fractures are the most common surgery requiring upper extremity fractures among children. Kirschner Wire (KW) is one of the important surgical method that is smooth stainless steel pins, and is widely used in orthopedics. The aim of this study is to evaluate the stability difference in supracondylar humerus fractures of children by unscrewed and screwed KW by finite element analysis method.
 Material and Methods: In this study, the computerized images of patients who were admitted to the Orthopedics and Traumatology department of a Training and Research Hospital with a diagnosis of pediatric supracondylar humerus fracture were used. A bone model was created using a layer created in the 3D Slicer program version 4.10.2. On this model, osteo-synthesis fixation was performed with Solid Works, with screwed and unscrewed K-wire mounting, divergent and crossed. Afterwards, this model was analyzed in ANSYS 16.0 finite element analysis program.
 Results: All KW configuration measurements for screwed forces were found higher than unscrewed forces in both crossed and divergent torques.
 Conclusion: The use of screwed K wire was found to be superior to unscrewed wire due to the more stable fixation. During surgery, the configuration of the K wire varies according to the surgeon's experience, fracture type, ulnar nerve damage risk analysis.