Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Vasenius

Publications and source records attributed to J Vasenius.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Ultra-high-strength absorbable self-reinforced polyglycolide (SR-PGA) composite rods for internal fixation of bone fractures: in vitro and in vivo study.

The ultra-high-strength, self-reinforced (SR) absorbable polymeric composites, consisting of reinforcement elements, like fibers, and of matrix polymer which have the same chemical element composition as reinforcement, were defined. A method to manufacture self-reinforced, absorbable polyglycolide (SR-PGA) rods of polyglycolide sutures (Dexon) by sintering them partially together at elevated temperature and pressure was presented. The rods with nominal diameters of 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 3.2 mm, and 4.5 mm showed initial bending modulus and strength values of 8-15 GPa and 220-405 MPa, respectively. Their initial shear strengths were 165-255 MPa. The smallest rods (diam. 1.5 mm) lost their mechanical strength after implantation in the subcutis of rabbits in 4-5 weeks while the thickest rods retained their strength over 8 weeks. The ultra-high-strength SR-PGA rods were concluded to be suitable for fixation of cancellous bone fractures, osteotomies, and epiphyseal plate fractures where the fixation is not exposed to excessive mechanical stresses and where the loads are predominantly of a shear nature.

Animals↗

Absorbable polyglycolide screws in internal fixation of femoral osteotomies in rabbits.

In 20 rabbits, a transverse distal femoral osteotomy was fixed using a 4.5 by 30-mm absorbable screw made of polyglycolide. No postoperative external support was used. The consolidation of the osteotomy was investigated histologically, morphometrically, and microradiographically in groups of 4 to 6 rabbits that were followed for 3, 6, 12, or 36 weeks. Fourteen osteotomies showed solid bony union; and in 3, several bone trabeculae were seen to bridge a still partially ununited osteotomy. In another 3 rabbits, each with a follow-up time of 12 or 36 weeks, no convincing signs of progressing consolidation could be seen. Only 1 of these rabbits showed displacement of the distal fragment.

Animals↗

Absorption, biocompatibility, and fixation properties of polylactic acid in bone tissue: an experimental study in rats.

The absorption, biocompatibility, and fixation properties of self-reinforced (SR) poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and poly-DL-lactic acid (PDLLA) were investigated in cancellous bone in 56 rats. Osteotomies of the distal femur were operatively fixed with cylindrical implants made of SR-PLLA and SR-PDLLA/PLLA (40 PDLLA:60 PLLA). The follow-up times were one, three, six, 12, 24, 36, and 48 weeks. Roentgenographic, microradiographic, histologic, histomorphometric, and oxytetracycline-labeling studies were done. Histologically, there was no evidence of inflammation or foreign-body reaction in the bony tissues. Histomorphometric analysis showed that absorption in the SR-PDLLA/PLLA implant was faster than in the SR-PLLA implant. Absorption started peripherally in the implants and continued with subsequent replacement by new bone. At 48 weeks the implant was completely surrounded by a layer of new bone. The SR-PLLA and SR-PDLLA/PLLA implants were visible in all specimens during the 48-week follow-up period. Ninety-five percent of the osteotomies were consolidated. Implants made of SR polylactic acid in rats proved to be biocompatible and slowly absorbable, and they possessed sufficient mechanical properties for fixation of osteotomies.

Absorption↗

A histomorphological study on self-reinforced polyglycolide (SR-PGA) osteosynthesis implants coated with slowly absorbable polymers.

A total of 150 osteotomies of rabbits' distal femur were fixed with absorbable self-reinforced polyglycolide (SR-PGA) rods coated with slowly absorbable polymers. In order to reduce the degradation rate of the SR-PGA construction rods were coated with n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate, polydioxanone (PDS), poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHBA), or poly-l-lactide (PLLA). Biocompatibility and the rate of biodegradation were evaluated in histological, histomorphometric, microradiographic, and oxytetracycline labeling studies. PDS, PHBA, and PLLA coatings showed good biocompatibility although there were scattered fluid accumulations around the rod in each group. Cyanoacrylate coating seemed to inhibit cartilage regeneration and cause the formation of considerable amount of connective tissue around the implant. The PGA core of the rod had totally degraded in 24 to 36 weeks in each coating group. Cyanoacrylate and PDS coatings were not detectable after 6 weeks while PHBA and PLLA coatings were still observed after 48 weeks. There were five (14%) non-unions in the cyanoacrylate coating group, one (3%) in the PHBA coating group caused by a purulent infection and none in the PDS and PLLA coating groups.

Absorption↗

Comparison of in vitro hydrolysis, subcutaneous and intramedullary implantation to evaluate the strength retention of absorbable osteosynthesis implants.

To evaluate the behaviour of mechanical properties of absorbable osteosynthesis implants in vivo, the strength retention of self-reinforced polyglycolide rods in distilled water at 37 degrees C in the subcutis and femoral medullary cavity of the rabbit was investigated. The self-reinforced polyglycolide rods lost their strength significantly faster in vivo than in vitro. The strength loss of the self-reinforced polyglycolide rods was only slightly faster in the medullary cavity than in the subcutis. As the removal of the implants from the medullary cavity became difficult 5-6 wk after implantation, it is suggested that subcutaneous implantation would be a suitable method to evaluate the strength retention of absorbable osteosynthesis implants.

Animals↗

Acute dislocation of the patella. A prospective review of operative treatment.

We report a prospective study of 55 patients with acute primary patellar dislocation, all treated by operation and followed up for at least two years. Diagnosis was based on the history of a lateral displacement, with medial tenderness and a positive apprehension test; redislocations were excluded. Before operation, the difference in lateral shift on skyline views of the injured and control patellae was highly significant. At operation, rupture of the medial retinaculum of the patella was seen in all but one case. There were medial marginal fractures of the patella in 23 cases. Subjective results of the operation were excellent or good in 44 of the 55 at two years with a redislocation rate of only 9%. Most patients were able to return to the same level of sporting activity as before the injury.

Adolescent↗

Benzylpenicillin ineffective for open fractures. Prospective study of 60 cases.

In a prospective study of 60 open fractures treated with prophylactic antibiotics, 10 developed infection with 2/40 Grades 1 and 2 fractures and 8/20 Grade 3 fractures. Intravenous penicillin was ineffective against Staphylococcus aureus and epidermidis, the most usual organisms causing infection in open fractures, as 62 percent of the organisms cultured from the initial culture and 92 percent of those cultured during infection were resistant to penicillin. For the second generation cephalosporins, the respective figures were 21 and 30 percent.

Adolescent↗

Medetomidine--ketamine--diazepam anesthesia in the rabbit.

Orthopaedic operations were performed in 340 rabbits when developing biodegradable rods for the fixation of fractures. The rabbits were anaesthesized by injecting medetomidine combined with ketamine and diazepam (MKD) subcutaneously. The mortality due to the anaesthesia was zero. Arterial blood gas analyses showed a moderate decrease in the haemoglobin oxygen saturation and compensated respiratory acidosis, which was well tolerated by the animals. It is concluded that MKD anaesthesia is well suited for orthopaedic operations in the rabbit.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗