Titanium-nickel shape memory clamps in small bone surgery.

The therapeutic applications of titanium-nickel (TiNi) shape memory clamps with optimized structural characteristics for fixation of small bone fragments in 64 patients are presented. Our fixative makes compressive stabilization possible and enables a patient to start rehabilitation very soon after surgery. The supporting splint immobilization never exceeded 12 days. Three aspects were studied: bone union, wound healing problems and histology. Non-union occurred in 4 patients treated with only one fixative. Two clamps implanted in non-parallel planes seem to be advisable to exclude the need for longer immobilization. Neither toxic manifestation nor episodes of an allergic reaction occurred. No suppuration appeared when a heat stimulus was supplied by using a contact resistance heater. Histological evaluation of the tissue covering the implants in 22 patients did not reveal any adverse reaction. Our study suggests that by using TiNi clamps in an appropriate way, satisfactory outcomes could be achieved with respect to both biofunctionality and biocompatibility.