Mechanical Failure In Using Compression Plate in Long Bone Fractures

The metallic failure is one of the annoying problems after fracture surgery. The seventeen cases of metallic failures after compression plate fixation were treated at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine between January, 1980 and December, 1988. The results were summerized as follows: l. Among 17 cases, 12(70.5%) were under 40 years of age and 14(80%) were male patients. 2. The sites of fracture of the seventeen cases; 12 femurs, 3 tibiae, and 2 radii. Of the cases, there were breakage of plates in 13 cases, bending 1 case and failure of screw in 3 cases. 3. The pattern of fracture: communited fracture -11 in femur, one in tibia and one in radius; open fracture 7 in femur, and one in tibia. 4. In plate failures, all breakage occured at screw holes near fracture sites. 5. The incidence of plate failure in 78 open femur fracture was 4.7% and in 318 closed femur fracture was 1.2%. 6. Probable causes of plate failure. a. Plate breakage Absence of bone graft The loss of medial butterss or communition 4 Bending 3 Inappropriate implant 2Early weight bearing 7 Retrauma 2 Infection 1 b. Plate bending Inadequate reduction 1c. Screw failure Osteoporosis of inadequate bone stock 1Early weight bearing 2 Infection 2.