Experimental study in order to assess the effects of limited periosteum stripping on the fracture healing and to compare osteosynthesis using plates and screws with intramedullary Kirschner wire fixation.

There are many studies that investigate indirect and direct fracture healing but few mention the effect of periosteum stripping on consolidation of fractures. Most of these studies use only one method of osteosynthesis for each group. Therefore, we reported a new developed murine model in order to assess if limited periosteum stripping influence significantly the quality of the fracture healing process by comparing two different osteosynthesis methods to reduce simultaneously bilateral femur fractures. We applied the experimental protocol for a number of 12 rats. We used plates and screws to reduce femoral osteotomy for the right hind limb and intramedullary Kirschner wire for the left hind limb. Clinical, radiological and histological assessments were made for a period of eight weeks. The absence of a healthy hind limb led to a slower healing process based on the histological findings and to implant failure based on radiological findings. In summary, complete fracture healing was not achieved during this experimental study. Therefore, we consider that future studies are needed for a better understanding of the effects of periosteum removal on the fracture healing process.