Summary Avian fracture healing was evaluated for twelve weeks following the repair of transverse mid-diaphyseal humeral fractures. Radiographic, histological, and biomechanical assessment of healing was used to compare a currently used method of repair - a permanent intramedullary polypropylene rod and polymethylmethacrylate bone cement, to a new biodegradable repair technique which utilized intramedullary polyglycolic acid rods and cyanoacry-late adhesive. Histological response to the biodegradable implants consisted of a granulomatous foreign body reaction that did not impair fracture healing. Fibrous encapsulation occurred around the permanent devices. Biodegradable repairs developed more periosteal callus, and early complications were more common following biodegradable repair, but there was little difference between the two groups biomechanically. Polyglycolic acid implants appear to be viable alternatives for the repair of some avian fractures. Investigation into the use of other biodegradable polymers for avian fracture fixation is warranted. Avian fracture healing following the repair of trans-verse humeral fractures with intramedullary biodegradable polyglycolic acid (PGA) rods and cyanoacrylate adhesive was compared to healing following repair with polypropylene rods and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement. Foreign body reaction to the PGA/cyanoacrylate fixation occurred, but did not impair fracture healing. Biomechanical testing revealed few differences between the two fixation methods at 0-12 weeks following fracture repair.
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Wallace et al. (1994) studied this question.
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