[The influence of the number of bars on the axial compressive strength of uniplanar external fixators in polyurethane tibia models]. / A influência do número de barras na resistência à compressão axial dos fixadores externos monoplanares em modelos de tíbias de poliuretano.

OBJECTIVE: This is an experimental study with the objective of analyses the increase of rigidity in synthetic tibia bones with external fixators, with single and double connecting rods and with stable and unstable fracture patterns. METHODS: The external fixators were used in the monoplanar, half pin configuration submitted to an axial compression load using the connecting bar in different patterns. Forty-eight similar models to the human tibia had been used. In all the models were left an interval of 0,5 cm between the fragments and were made cuts of 15 masculine and 45 masculine to simulate stable and unstable fracture patterns, respectively. The models had been divided in four groups in accordance with the cut (15 masculine and 45 masculine) and the number of metallic bars in assembly (1 and 2 bars). The study used the Instron testing machine which the models were submitted to the axial load until the fragments that were separated by a gap made full contact. RESULTS: The instability forces in the assembly with a double bar had been sufficiently superior to the forces with only one bar. It was still observed that the group with unstable fracture pattern and with only one connecting rod had a lesser variability compared with the other groups and presented more homogeneous results, with a minor average. CONCLUSION: The assembly with a double longitudinal connecting rod in the studied models is more stable than the others to stand compression load.

A influência do número de barras na resistência à compressão axial dos fixadores externos monoplanares em modelos de tíbias de poliuretano / The influence of the number of bars on the axial compressive strength of uniplanar external fixators in polyurethane tibia models

OBJETIVO: Analisar a resistência (rigidez) do sistema de fixação externa tubular uniplanar, com hastes de conexão única e dupla, com traços de fraturas estáveis e instáveis. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 48 modelos semelhantes à tíbia. Em todos foi deixado um intervalo de 0,5 cm entre os fragmentos e realizados cortes com angulações de 15º e 45º para simular fraturas estáveis e instáveis, respectivamente. Os modelos foram divididos em quatro grupos de acordo com o traço fraturário (15º e 45º) e o número de barras metálicas na montagem (1 e 2 barras). Os modelos de prova foram adaptados à uma máquina de testes Instron®, pelas suas extremidades, e submetidos à compressão axial até que os fragmentos tiveram contato total. Avaliou-se a força necessária para efetuar o completo contato dos fragmentos do modelo. RESULTADOS: As forças instabilizadoras na montagem do fixador com barra dupla foram bastante superiores às com barra única. Observou-se ainda que o grupo com barra única instável apresentou variabilidade muito menor que os demais grupos, ou seja, apresenta resultados mais homogêneos, além de ter apresentado a menor média. CONCLUSÃO: A montagem do fixador externo com uma haste longitudinal dupla nos modelos estudados é mais estável que as demais quando submetidas à uma força de compressão axial.

OBJECTIVE: This is an experimental study with the objective of analyses the increase of rigidity in synthetic tibia bones with external fixators, with single and double connecting rods and with stable and unstable fracture patterns. METHODS: The external fixators were used in the monoplanar, half pin configuration submitted to an axial compression load using the connecting bar in different patterns. Forty-eight similar models to the human tibia had been used. In all the models were left an interval of 0,5 cm between the fragments and were made cuts of 15º and 45º to simulate stable and unstable fracture patterns, respectively. The models had been divided in four groups in accordance with the cut (15º and 45º) and the number of metallic bars in assembly (1 and 2 bars). The study used the Instron® testing machine which the models were submitted to the axial load until the fragments that were separated by a gap made full contact. RESULTS: The instability forces in the assembly with a double bar had been sufficiently superior to the forces with only one bar. It was still observed that the group with unstable fracture pattern and with only one connecting rod had a lesser variability compared with the other groups and presented more homogeneous results, with a minor average. CONCLUSION: The assembly with a double longitudinal connecting rod in the studied models is more stable than the others to stand compression load.