Acrylic Pin External Fixation (APEF) System ™

EXTERNAL FIXATION – Acrylic Pin External Fixation (APEF) System
Our Acrylic Pin External Fixation, the APEF System, offers flexible and moldable acrylic columns with use of stainless steel positive profile fixation pins. The APEF Systems apply well to mandibular fractures, tibial fractures, long bone fractures, and fractures related to avian, exotic, feline and canine animals.

What is APEF?
An Acrylic Pin External Fixator (APEF) is created by replacement of mechanical connecting clamps and rigid connecting bars with moldable acrylic columns.

APEF is indicated for any fracture or arthrodesis where a comparable sized stainless steel bar/column fixator would be appropriate. Research has shown the acrylic columns provide equal or greater strength when compared to the traditional K-E designs in all standard configurations.

VIDEO: APEF Acrylic Pin External Fixation

Advantages of APEF
Advantages to the animal range from improved fixation to reduced soft tissue exposure. With the APEF System, the animal benefits from optimum pin placement, right where the anatomy dictates pin placement, not governed by the constraints of traditional system hardware. It also facilitates the use of improved pin insertion techniques such as predrilling to minimize pin loosening and associated morbidity.

The sidebar tubing can be easily contoured to any pin location facilitating mandibular and transarticular applications. Radiographic evaluation of fracture reduction and progression of healing is also enhanced through the radiolucent sidebars.

• No measuring, less mess and minimal odor.
• Fewer restrictions on fixation pin orientation.
• Complex configurations simplified.
• Simple clinical applications.

Easy to Learn. Easy to Use.

APEF is a 5-step/4-component technique which provides proven fixation.

1. Pin placement
   • Pin orientation is not restricted by frame alignment or clamp design. This allows the surgeon to design the frame configuration to best meet the mechanical needs of the fracture and minimize soft tissue tethering.
   • A combination of enhanced thread (for improved bone holding integrity) and smooth (for economy) pins can be employed easily using improved insertion techniques such as predrilling to minimize pin loosening and associated morbidity.
2. Reduction and Temporary Stabilization
   • The APEF Alignment Frame is attached to pins on both sides of fracture close to the skin level. The fracture is reduced, and the clamps are tightened to temporarily maintain reduction.
   • Open reduction approach incisions can be sutured closed or adequacy of closed reduction can be checked with radiographs.
   • Pins are cut off approximately 4 to 5 cm (1-1/2 to 2 inches) from the skin level.
3. Sidebar Tubing
   • The sidebar tubing is "popped" onto the cut pin ends by penetrating one wall of the tubing. Tubes are slid toward the limb to lie adjacent to the alignment frame.
   • The dependent end of the tubes are plugged with supplied endplugs.
4. Mix and Pour Acrylic
   • Temporary divider is "popped" off by pulling powder and liquid portions of bag in opposite directions.
   • Acrylic is mixed for 2 to 3 minutes to a smooth viscous consistency.
   • Corner of bag is cut off with scissors and acrylic is poured into open ends of tubes.
   • Acrylic leakage at pin insertion sites can be easily controlled with cotton balls.
   • Biplanar configurations can be “interconnected” with pin stock pushed through acrylic filled tubes.
5. Frame Alignment Removed
   • Acrylic takes 10 to 12 minutes to harden after start of mixing.
   • Frame Alignment clamps are loosened and frame is removed.
   • Endplugs and excess tube length are cut away and final reduction.

"The APEF System incorporates significant advancements which facilitate treating many of the fractures routinely seen in clinical practice. The technique is simple and economical, requiring minimal inventory and application equipment. Producing rigid fixation in many different configurations, this system adapts easily to a wide variety of orthopedic problems. I believe the APEF System has great potential for widespread use in the general practice setting."
~ Erick L. Egger, DVM