Manual of Cable Osteosyntheses, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2000
History, Technical Basis, Biomechanics of the Tension Band Principle, and Instructions for Operation

In bone surgery it is essential to compress fractures interfragmentarily in order to make them resistant to the tensile force of muscles and the force resulting from acceleration and deceleration. This can be best achieved by the use of cable tension bands as a traction mechanism. The cable tension band is - in terms of stability of fractures - far superior to the conventional rigid cerclage wire which has been widely used in osteosynthesis for over 100 years. The author explains the biomechanics of the tension band in detail. Theoretical findings are confirmed by clinical test results. All osteosynthetic techniques which can be carried out with cables are described giving details of operation instructions. Errors and risks are always pointed out. A reference book and operative manual at a time.

1 Introduction.- 2 Brief History of Wires and Cables in Medicine and Technology.- 2.1 Conventional Binding Wire.- 2.1.1 Bone Suture: The Original Form of Osteosynthesis.- 2.1.2 Chronology of Osteosyntheses.- 2.1.3 Experiences with Cerclage Wire: A Critique.- 2.2 Wire Cables - State-of-the-Art Solution.- 2.2.1 A Brief Introduction, Including Valuable Technical Data.- 2.2.2 Principle of Cable Osteosyntheses.- 2.2.3 The Osteosynthesis Set.- 2.2.3.1 Wire Cables.- 2.2.3.2 Crimps.- 2.2.3.3 PE Sleeves.- 2.2.3.4 Instruments.- 3 Cerclage Wire and Wire Cables: A Comparison.- 3.1 Performance and Testing.- 3.2 Results.- 3.2.1 Tensile Strength of Cerclage Wire and Wire Cables.- 3.2.2 Tensile Strength of Twists and Cable-Crimp Connections.- 3.2.3 Tensile Strength of Bent Cerclage Wire.- 3.2.4 Evaluation of the Results.- 3.2.4.1 Cerclage Wire.- 3.2.4.2 Wire Cables.- 3.2.5 References in the Literature.- 4 Wire Cables in Everyday Hospital Life.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Technical Instructions for Operations.- 4.2.1 Tension Band Principle.- 4.2.2 Cerclage.- 4.2.3 Sleeve-Cable Combinations.- 4.2.4 Stretching and Crimping.- 4.2.5 The Final Steps.- 4.2.6 Errors and Risks.- 4.3 The Mechanics of Bone Healing.- 4.4 Biomechanic of Tension Band Principle.- 4.4.1 Tension Banding as a Technical and Osteosynthetic Principle.- 4.5 Patella Fracture.- 4.5.1 Historical Procedures.- 4.5.1.1 Closed Adjustment.- 4.5.1.2 Open Bone Suture.- 4.5.1.3 Tension Banding.- 4.5.2 Weber’s Patella Tension Band and its Biomechanical Analysis.- 4.5.3 Bilateral Cable Tension Band and its Biomechanical Analysis.- 4.6 Olecranon Fracture.- 4.6.1 Historical Procedures.- 4.6.2 Weber’s Olecranon Tension Band and its Biomechanical Analysis.- 4.6.3 Bilateral Cable Tension Band for Olecranon and Proximal Ulna Fractures.- 4.7 Ankle Joint and Pilon Fractures.- 4.7.1 Cable Tension Banding on the Medial Malleolus.- 4.8 Osseous Prominences.- 4.8.1 Trochanter Major Femoris.- 4.8.1.1 Trochanter Cable Tension Banding.- 4.8.2 Proximal Humerus and Tuberculum Majus.- 4.8.2.1 Cable Tension Banding on the Head of the Humerus and Tuberculum.- 4.8.3 Distal Humerus Fractures.- 4.8.3.1 Cable Tension Banding Shown on Epicondylus Ulnaris Avulsion.- 4.8.4 Avulsion Fracture at the Base of the Fifth Metatarsal.- 4.9 Compression Cable Osteosynthesis.- 4.9.1 Acetabulum Fractures and Dorsal Socket Avulsion Fracture.- 4.9.2 Corrective Osteotomy in the Knee Joint Region.- 4.9.2.1 Cable Osteosynthesis to Compress Valgus Tibial Head Adjustment Osteotomy.- 4.10 Cable Arthrodeses.- 4.10.1 Cable Arthrodesis of the Upper Ankle Joint.- 4.10.2 Pirogoff Amputation with Tibio-Calcaneal Cable Arthrodesis.- 4.11 Cable Cerclages.- 4.11.1 Shattering of Femur Shaft Following Total Endoprosthesis.- 4.12 Sleeve-Cable Banding of Unstable Pelvic Ring Injuries.- 4.13 Sleeve-Cable Osteosynthesis of Longitudinal Sternotomy.- 4.14 Soft Tissue Trauma - Temporary Protection of Ligament Sutures Using a Cable.- 4.14.1 Rupture of the Ligamentum Patellae, Quadriceps, and Achilles Tendon.- 4.14.1.1 Ligamentum Patellae.- 4.14.1.2 Quadriceps Tendon.- 4.14.1.3 Achilles Tendon.- 4.14.1.4 Ligamentum Patellae.- 4.14.1.5 Quadriceps Tendon.- 4.14.1.6 Achilles Tendon.- 4.14.2 Rupture of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament: Treatment According to Weigand.- 4.15 Special Indications.- 5 Review and Outlook.- References.