LA ROTTURA DEI MEZZI METALLICI DI OSTEOSINTESI ANALISI METALLURGICHE E CONSIDERAZIONI CLINICHE

In an inter-science research, the authors analyzed 27 cases of breakage of the means of synthesis by means of surgical and metallurgical study. Causes of breakage were divided into causes connected with the patient, the surgeon and the means of synthesis itself. The surgical technique (permanent synthesis, use of metallurgically identical materials, etc.), the design, and last but not least, the biological status of the bone and the type of the center of fracture or osteotomy as well as the quantity, the quality and the speed of making of the bony callus seem to be determinant among the causes of breakage. The authors pointed out the importance of corrosion in its several aspects ('under tension corrosion', 'due to hard work', 'pits corrosion', etc.) as a 'pathogenic' mechanism of the breakage. At the same time they emphasized the most important requisites of the material which in their opinion are required to carry out a biomechanic osteosynthesis.