Evaluation and redesign of an Osteosynthesis Plate, produced in Indonesia

PhD ceremony: Mr. P. Dewo, 16.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Title: Evaluation and redesign of an Osteosynthesis Plate, produced in Indonesia

Promotor(s): prof. G.J. Verkerke, prof. H.J. Busscher

Faculty: Medical Sciences

People suffering from broken bones may need orthopaedic surgery with osteosynthesis plates to fix them. There is a high, unfulfilled demand for osteosynthesis plates around the world, especially during the aftermath of disasters. Research by Punto Dewo, who is an orthopaedic surgeon in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, showed that it is possible to use simple and cheap materials to make osteosynthesis plates which have the same quality as plates from Western companies. Dewo found that the osteosynthesis plates that were produced in Indonesia did not increase the risks for infection, but the plates were not strong enough. He suggested various ways to improve the materials for plates and their production. A simple machine was developed and research showed that the newly designed Indonesian plates were much stronger, even as strong as the standard plate.