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Related Experiment Videos

The effect of steam sterilization on plaster casting material.

J A Gilbert, H O Phillips

    Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
    |November 1, 1984
    PubMed
    Summary

    Autoclaved plaster casts showed a slight decrease in yield strength but a significant 5.6-fold increase in hardening time. Gas sterilization is recommended for sterile casts to avoid prolonged setting times.

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    Area of Science:

    • Orthopedic materials science
    • Biomedical engineering
    • Sterilization technologies

    Background:

    • Plaster casts are widely used for fracture immobilization.
    • Sterilization of medical devices is crucial to prevent infections.
    • Autoclaving (steam sterilization) is a common sterilization method.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the effect of autoclaving on the mechanical properties of plaster-impregnated gauze.
    • To determine the impact of steam sterilization on the hardening time of plaster casts.
    • To compare autoclaving with gas sterilization for sterile cast preparation.

    Main Methods:

    • Plaster-impregnated gauze was subjected to steam sterilization (autoclaving).
    • Mechanical properties (flexural yield stress, modulus of elasticity) were measured using a cantilever bending test.
    • Hardening time was determined using the same bending test setup.
    • Comparison was made with non-sterilized plaster and gas-sterilized plaster.

    Main Results:

    • Autoclaved plaster exhibited an 8% reduction in average yield stress.
    • The modulus of elasticity remained unchanged after steam sterilization.
    • The hardening time of autoclaved plaster casts increased by a factor of 5.6.
    • Gas sterilization did not significantly increase the hardening time.

    Conclusions:

    • Steam sterilization of plaster-impregnated gauze alters its mechanical properties and significantly increases hardening time.
    • The reduction in yield strength is minor, but the extended hardening time is clinically unacceptable.
    • Gas sterilization is a preferred method for preparing sterile plaster casts due to its minimal impact on hardening time.

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