Plate selection for fixation of extra-articular distal humerus fractures: A biomechanical comparison of three different implants

Abstract

We have read the biomechanical study entitled ‘Plate selection for fixation of extra-articular distal humerus fractures: A biomechanical comparison of three different implants.’ By John A. Scolaro et al. with great interest in the issue of Injury 45(12), (2014), 2040–2044 [1]. We would like to congratulate the authors for their valuable biomechanical study. However, we would like to raise an important issue about the bone models used in the study. According to the official website of the company, bone models used in this biomechanical study (model number 1028, Pacific Research Laboratories, Inc., Vashon, WA) are made of foam cortical shell which include cancellous inner material. It is highlighted that they are ideal for large-scale surgical skills courses or different exercises [2]. The studies investigating the biomechanical properties of the implants or surgical methods of the humerus bone are usually performed with the fourth generation Sawbones [3,4]. These biomechanical models (model number 3404, Pacific Research Laboratories, Inc., Vashon, WA) are producted for the use of biomechanical testing according to the official website of the company [5]. We would like to share this technical detail with the authors and the readers. We believe that using biomechanical test materials that are used as an alternative testing medium to human cadaver bone would provide a more reliable and valuable experiment. Once again, we congratulate the authors.