Biomechanical evaluation of the pull-out strengths of pedicular screws with expandable distal tips
Abstract
Methods: In this experimental study we evaluated the pullout strengths of three screw types in calf lumbar vertebrae. Expandable distal tipped screws used in groups A and B were designed by the authors. These screws were made up of two parts, with an outer diameter of 6.5 mm. The distal tips of the screws are forced to expand outwards when a pin inserted (i) from the distal tip is pulled from the back of the screw (group A), and (ii) from the back of the screw is advanced toward the tip (Group B). Group C included 6 mm Cotrel-Dubousset (CD) screws. Pull-out tests were performed in 22 vertebrae using screws in groups A (n=7), B (n=7), and C (n=8).
Results: Screws in group B were found to exhibit the highest average pull-out strength (mean 1238.57 Newton), followed by the screws in Group A (mean 1124.28 Newton), whereas the CD screws in Group C had the lowest average pull-out strength (mean 978.75 Newton). Paired comparisons between the groups B and C, and the groups A and C showed statistically significant differences with regard to pull-out strengths (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Expandable tips of the pedicular screws exert pressure on the surrounding bone, enabling considerable contact and increased screw-bone interface strength. Our results suggest that group A and group B screws may be an alternative application in normal vertebral bone structure, in failures associated with screw pullout, or in cases lacking appropriate bone support.
Keywords
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Health Care Administration
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
İrfan Esenkaya
This is me
Ercan Olcay
This is me
Turgut Gulmez
This is me
Hayriye Vehid
This is me
Publication Date
September 11, 2006
Submission Date
March 6, 2014
Acceptance Date
-
Published in Issue
Year 2000 Volume: 34 Number: 4