Results of spectral analysis of extracted broken implantsafter osteosynthesis of long bones
Introduction Along with expansion of the types of metal implants and indications to osteosynthesis with their application, contemporary operative traumatology continues to meet with such a complication as metal fixator breakage. The frequent cause of fixator failure is an incorrect osteosynthesis or an improperly chosen implant. Quite often, the cause of the complication remains unknown. The purpose of our study was to establish the need for spectral analysis in assessing the cases of metal fixator collapse after osteosynthesis of long bones as well as to determine the rate of the composition defects of the implants used for osteosynthesis of limb bones. Methods We performed a spectral analysis of 16 broken implants extracted from 15 patients operated on in Semashko Hospital, State Hospital No. 17 and State Hospital No. 68. The group included metal implants for both intra- and extramedullary osteosynthesis. Results Of the 16 implants studied, five (31.25 %) complied completely with the requirements of the standard, two stainless steel and three titanium metal implants among them; eleven implants (68.75 %) did not meet the international standards. Discussion In a number of cases (for example, with stainless steel implants) the deviations were significant; variability of the alloys was also noted in titanium implants. Because these deviations in composition may play a role in the destruction of metal fixators, we believe that such a study as spectrography should be recommended for the analysis of cases of implant breakage.