Observation of biological compatibility of swanª²like memory connector and stainless steel plate after internal fixation

    FU Qingª²Ge, ZHANG Chunª²Cai, XU Shuoª²Gui, GAO Tangª²Cheng, BAO Jianª²Zhong, LU Yueª²Liang, WAN Min, WANG Guanª²Jun

    1Department of Orthopedics, 2Department of Pathology, Changhai Hospital, 3Department of Cytobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To assess the biological compatibility of swanª²like memory connector (SMC) and stainless steel plate after internal fixation by comparing the effects of SMC and stainless steel plate on soft tissue limiting membrane. METHODS: The local soft tissues which tightly contacted metals were observed grossly, histologically and ultrastructurally from 13 cases of patients, who had achieved fractureª²healing and whose internal fixators had taken out. RESULTS: The local soft tissues of SMC group had regular fiber distribution and less or none inflammatory reaction. The main component cells were fibroblasts which were surrounded by collagen fila arranging in a crisscross pattern and regular array. Stainless steel plate group had disordered local soft tissues, with black or gray changes in part. In ultrastructure observation, collagen fiber was hyperplasiaed, disordered and hyaline degenerated. More inflammatory reaction and foreign body reaction (foreign body giant cell reaction and fibrinoid necrosis) were also seen. CONCLUSION: Swanª²like memory connector is of good biological compatibility and is an ideal biological material for medicine use. ......