Effect of repeated sterilization by different methods on strength of carbon fiber rods used in external fixator systems

• Published in: Journal of orthopaedic trauma Vol. 32; no. 8; pp. 425 - 430
• Main Authors: Unal, Omer Kays, Poyanli, Oguz Sukru, Unal, Ulku Sur, Mutlu, Hasan Huseyin, Ozkut, Afsar Timucin, Esenkaya, Irfan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Copyright Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved 01-08-2018
• ISSN: 0890-5339; 1531-2291
• DOI: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000001224

OBJECTIVES:We set out to reveal the effects of repeated sterilization, using different methods, on the carbon fiber rods of external fixator systems.
METHODS:We used a randomized set of forty-four unused, unsterilized, and identical carbon fiber rods (11 × 200 mm), randomly assigned to two groupsunsterilized (US) (4 rods) and sterilized (40 rods). The sterilized rods were divided into two groups, those sterilized in an autoclave (AC) and by hydrogen peroxide (HP). These were further divided into five subgroups based on the number of sterilization repetition to which the fibers were subjected (25-50-75-100-200). A bending test was conducted to measure the maximum bending force (MBF), maximum deflection (MD), flexural strength (FS), maximum bending moment (MBM) and bending rigidity (BR). We also measured the surface roughness of the rods.
RESULTS:An increase in the number of sterilization repetition led to a decrease in MBF, MBM, FS, BR, but increased MD and surface roughness (p < 0.01). The effect of the number of sterilization repetition was more prominent in the HP group.
CONCLUSION:This study revealed that the sterilization method and number of sterilization repetition influence the strength of the carbon fiber rods. Increasing the number of sterilization repetition degrades the strength and roughness of the rods.