[Biomechanical efficiency and biocompatibility of lubricating sprays PTFE or graphite (author's transl)]

The screws and plates used in operative treatment of fractures cause moments of friction between the bone screw head and the bone plate hole during the tightening of the screws. This results in hidden damage to the grinding metal surfaces, with the danger of erosion corrosion and in a reduction in the screw force. By covering the screw heads with the lubricating sprays PTFE or graphite friction was significantly reduced, the screw force increased by 40% and extensive damage to the surfaces avoided. Lubricating sprays or their extracts, in fetal calf serum or in dimethylsulfoxide, were added to fibroblast cultures. Toxicity was manifest as changes in the synthesis of DNA, as measured by autoradiography. Sprays or spray extracts in fetal calf serum did not inhibit cell proliferation. In vivo experiments in rats reflected the in vitro results, there being no evidence that toxic substances were released from the sprays by physiological solvents: There was a lack of histopathological changes in the inner organs and a local encapsulation of implants which was essentially like that in a teflon control group.