Biomechanical comparison of new design s-plates and flat-plates in diaphyseal femoral fractures; Ex-Vivo study

In this study, it was aimed to compare the biomechanical aspects of the S-plate designed by us and the currently used flat plates in diaphyseal femur fractures. In our study, in the treatment method applied with plates, the biomechanical situation of the S plates, which have a different anatomical structure than the currently used plate types, was observed in the fixation and stabilization of the upper and lower fragments compared to the plain plates. In the study, sheep femur bones obtained from butchers were used as experimental material. A total of 72 sheep femur bones, 12 in the control group and 6 experimental materials in each group, were evaluated. A diaphyseal fracture was obtained by transversal cutting of the femur bones from the diaphysis region. After stabilization of the experimental materials in the control groups with flat plate and S plate, biomechanical tests were performed with Universal Tester (Shimadzu AG-IS-100KN, Japan). Torsion, compression, distraction and three-point bending forces were applied to the experimental materials during the tests. When the results were evaluated, when flat plates and S plates were compared in the distraction biomechanical test, it was seen that S plates acted more conservatively and resistantly than flat plates in the osteosynthesis line. It was concluded that S plates could be an alternative to flat plates in femoral diaphyseal fractures, since they prevent tensile forces more effectively along with other forces at the fracture line. It is envisaged to investigate the in vivo behavior of S plate in clinical cases in the future.