[The hollow prosthesis. Reflections on cementless hip endoprosthesis anchorage].

Hollow prostheses appear to represent a promising approach for the durable fixation of cementless hip-joint endoprostheses. The goal of the planned development is the design-engineering, quality-assured production and clinical testing of hollow prostheses displaying largest possible interior space and optimized wall thickness. With hollow prostheses the possibility exists for the first time of filling both the interior space of the prosthesis and cavities between the prosthesis bearing and the prosthesis with spongiosa.

[Perorally insertable endotracheal stents made from NiTi memory alloy--an experimental animal study].

NiTi prostheses were perorally inserted in 12 rabbits. The spiral prostheses were overgrown by normal tracheal epithelium over time. No adverse effects due to impairment of the mucociliary clearance and no chondromalacia occurred.

[Hip endoprosthesis shaft fractures - a clinical and technological material study].

This paper begins with a discussion of purely clinical considerations concerning fractures of hip prosthesis shafts, based on findings in 19 cases treated in the University Orthopedic Clinics of Essen and Lübeck. A gradual increase in pain following stress is the principal symptom, although acute pain is not typical. In radiological diagnosis, which is indispensable, the fractures, which are initially often merely hairline cracks, must be looked for.

[On Dwyer's scoliosis operation using memory alloy wire (author's transl)].

In Dwyer's spinal column correction a titanium cable is stretched from vertebra to vertebra by a special clamp and secured to each vertebra with screws and clips. It is suggested to replace the titanium wire with wire consisting of the memory alloy NiTi. This will permit the prestretched wire to be tensioned by heating it to 60 deg C after it has been fixed at its ends in the vertebrae.