OSTEOSYNTHESIS
Osteosynthesis is the surgical treatment of bone
fractures to restore full function.
The basic principles of osteosynthesis are:
1.
Restore
the anatomy (reduction of fragments);
2.
Establish
stability (internal fixation with implants);
3.
Preserve
blood supply;
4.
Early
mobilization of the limb and patient.
Plates and screws are the most used
implants in the osteosynthesis.
SCREW
A screw is a mechanical device that
converts rotation into linear movement, as you rotate the screw clockwise the
tip of the screw advances.
Screws are used alone or with a plate and
they can be classified according to:
· Size (the size usually refers to the thread
diameter);
· Design (locking head, conventional, cannulated
screw, etc.);
· Function (Lag screw, plate screw, position
screw);
· Characteristics (self-tapping,
self-drilling, etc.);
· Application site (cortical, cancellous,
bicortical).
But these terms are sometimes mixed, for
example, a screw might be referred to as a 4.5mm self-tapping cortex screw.
A standard bone screw consists of head,
core, thread and tip.
PLATES
Plates can be classified according to:
· Design (third tubular plate, DCP-dynamic compression plate-; LCDCP-low contact dynamic compression plate-; LCP-locking compression plate-);
· Function (Compression, Protection (also
called neutralization), buttress, tension band and bridging).
The instruments necessary for the
implantation of all these implants (drills, taps, guides, countersink, depth
gauge, screwdrivers, etc) must be in perfect condition (sterilized, sharp, etc.).
The scrub nurse has to know instrumentation
and the different techniques. Protocols about all of them are useful and training
is very important.
Tel: (0034) 915545405 Email: elena@imtra.es Web site in English: http://www.imtra.eu Web site in Spanish: www.imtra.biz
