A novel method to assess intraarticular screw penetration into the joint space
Hasan Hüseyin Ceylan1
, Tunay Erden2, Mehmet Kapıcıoğlu3, Fatih Küçükdurmaz4
1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, BHT Clinic Istanbul Tema Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
2Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Acıbadem Fulya Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
3Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
4Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
Keywords: Complication, fluoroscopy, screw penetration, trauma
Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to propose a novel method to detect articular penetration of screws by relying on their electrical conductivity properties and control the validity of this method.
Materials and methods: In this ex vivo study, conducted between June 2017 and August 2017, we used five fresh sheep shoulder joints. First, the shoulder joint space was filled with saline solution. An insulated cannula was placed in the joint capsule, and a conductive wire was introduced into the joint via this cannula. A single titanium screw was inserted from the tuberculum majus into the posteroinferior quadrant of the humeral head under fluoroscopic observation. Conductivity was continuously measured using a digital multimeter. When a sudden decrease in conduction resistance was detected, fluoroscopic images were obtained in the anteroposterior (AP) and lateral directions. These images were assessed for penetration by a blinded surgeon. Penetration was confirmed by dissection of the joint.
Results: There was a significant decrease in electrical resistance when screw penetration occurred (p<0.001). All penetration events were confirmed using our novel method. For all five of the specimens, either AP or lateral images could not be used to confirm penetration. For two of these specimens, penetration was undetectable in both AP and lateral fluoroscopic images, but a decrease in resistance was recorded.
Conclusion: The described method exhibits greater sensitivity and accuracy for metal penetration to joint, and it is effective in detecting screws in the joints. The novel method described in this paper was applied in a prototype setting, and we believe that this concept can continue to be developed.
Citation: Ceylan HH, Erden T, Kapıcıoğlu M, Küçükdurmaz F. A novel method to assess intraarticular screw penetration into the joint space. Jt Dis Relat Surg 2020;31(2):218-222.
The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.
The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.