Heat Conduction of Fixator Pins with Polymethylmethacrylate External Fixation

N. Williams; J. L. Tomlinson; A. W. Hahn; G. M. Constantinescu; Colette Wagner-Mann

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1632587

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1997; 10(03): 153-159
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632587

Original Research

Schattauer GmbH

Heat Conduction of Fixator Pins with Polymethylmethacrylate External Fixation

N. Williams

¹From the University of Missouri Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Columbia, Missouri, USA

,

J. L. Tomlinson

¹From the University of Missouri Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Columbia, Missouri, USA

,

A. W. Hahn

¹From the University of Missouri Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Columbia, Missouri, USA

,

G. M. Constantinescu

¹From the University of Missouri Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Columbia, Missouri, USA

,

Colette Wagner-Mann

¹From the University of Missouri Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Columbia, Missouri, USA

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of thermal conduction along the fixation pins associated with acrylic external fixators and to develop a means of minimizing the potential for thermal injury. The data suggest that the degree of temperature conducted with 1.9 cm diameter acrylic external fixators was of minimal clinical significance if maintained a distance of one centimeter from the patient’s tissues. Larger diameter columns increase the potential for injury, however, this can be minimized with the use of a constant saline drip at the pin-acrylic interface to facilitate heat loss.

This article describes the evaluation of thermal properties of polymethylmethacrylate external skeletal fixators. The data demonstrate heat conduction along the fixation pins. Thermal injury is theoretically minimized if columns are maintained a distance of at least one centimeter from the patient’s tissue.

Research supported in part by and presented for the University of Missouri Pi Chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Zeta in coordination with SmithKline Beecham Animal Health, April 7, 1994

Keywords

Polymethylmethacrylate - external fixation - thermal injury

Full Text

References

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