USING METACRYLATE FOR INTERNAL-FIXATION OF FRACTURES IN SMALL ANIMALS

An experiment was conducted to verify the possibility to use the self-polymerizing metacrylate resin DURACRYL EXTRA, commonly used in dental prosthetics, for simple fixing of fractures in small animals. The metacrylate was placed in a very small distance from the bone and the generally available surgical materials were used to connect it with the bone fragments (Kirschner's wires and surgical wire). Tree types of diaphysial fractions of femur and humerus were evaluated in a group of rabbits, dogs and sheep. The histological study of the reaction of the adjacent soft and hard tissues to metacrylate in the stage of healing of fracture is documented by the normal course of th reparative processes with no signs of more serious non-adequate reaction. The method of using the resin is generally simple, inexpensive and has low requirements for the use of instruments. This promises broad use in practice in the treatment of other kinds of fractures, mainly in those cases where there is a lack of special equipment for the surgery of bones.