Fixation of diaphyseal femoral osteotomy with self-reinforced biodegradable intramedullary implants: an experimental study on growing dogs.

Abstract Polyglycolic acid (PGA) was investigated for use as a biodegradable suture and fixation material for the repair of soft and osseous tissue. Selfreinforced (SR-) PGA has been used successfully since 1984 as an internal fixation material for fixation of cancellous bone fractures. The purpose of this study was to examine the possible usefulness of an intramedullary SR-PGA rod in the fixation of femoral shaft osteotomy in the growing dog. Osteotomy of the right femur was made in 14 Beagle dogs at 12 weeks of age. After accurate reduction, the osteotomy was fixed with an intramedullary 4·5 x 60 mm SR-PGA rod. The intramedullary SR-PGA rod provided sufficient stability for healing of a femoral shaft osteotomy in the growing dog and did not cause any significant growth disturbance.