Perfuração de imobilizações ortopédicas em gesso tradicional e sintético e consequências sobre a resistência mecânica

Abstract

Orthopaedic immobilization is a frequently performed procedure in emergency rooms. Traditionally, a circular closed cast made of plaster of Paris or fiberglass is made, in a circular closed shape, not allowing ventilation of the immobilized limb and causing bad smell, itching, skin dryness and feeling of heat, also preventing hygiene and visualization of the skin status, predisposing and aggravating infections and skin reactions. In order to overcome these drawbacks, the orthopaedic materials industry has been releasing new products with multiple perforations, however, such materials are expensive and little available. In this context, it is questionable whether such perforations could be performed in materials commonly used in orthopaedics: plaster of Paris and fiberglass. The aim of this study was testing the mechanical the mechanical consequences of that such perforations on plaster of Paris and fiberglass, as a first step towards the development of perforated immobilizations in this type of material. Considering that fiberglass has greater mechanical resistance than plaster of Paris, the hypothesis is that perforated fiberglass has similar resistance to plaster of Paris. Three-point bending and impact tests were performed with samples of unperforated plaster, fiberglass plaster and perforated fiberglass plaster. The results show that synthetic plaster, even perforated, maintains mechanical resistance at levels close to plaster of Paris. Additional studies are needed.