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There were no significant differences between the two techniques, since the observed stresses are well below the flow stress of the material, ensuring good safety factor (ranging from 3.5 to 4.1).

High-strength steels such as DOMEX 700 combine high mechanical strength and great ductility. However, when processed by welding their microstructure could present grain growth and deleterious phase formation. Nevertheless, using highpower GMAW-P the effects of electrode and shielding gas composition on the mechanical and microstructure properties of DOMEX 700 welded joints need to be understood. Thus, wire electrodes such as AWS ER 90S-D2 (A1) and AWS ER 120S-G (A2), and shielding gases such as Ar ? 15% CO 2 (G1) and Ar ? 8% CO 2 (G2) were used and the microstructure of welded joints was analyzed through optical and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Mechanical properties of joints was characterized through joint tensile test, impact test from 20 to-40°C, and microhardness in the joint cross-sectional. It is possible to highlight the increase in strength and elongation values with the use of electrode A2, and reduction in impact energy values for specimens welded by gas mixture G2.

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Objective: This research presents a biomechanical analysis performed in the lumbar spine of a porcine animal model, considering a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of split fractures. Methods: Porcine spines were used to perform compression tests, considering three different approaches. Three groups were defined in order to verify and validate the proposed technique: a control group (1); spines with split fractures (2); and a treatment group (3). For the first group (control), spines were axially compressed until any kind of fracture occurred, in order to verify the strength of the structure. In the second group, split fractures were created to obtain the mechanical failure pattern of the model. In the third group, the split fractures were submitted to the proposed treatment, to verify the resistance achieved. The three groups were compared by means of axial compression tests. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA. Results: The control group (intact spine) and the treated split fracture group presented similar results (p>0.05), differing from the results for the untreated split fracture group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The tests performed in order to determine the behavior and strength of the lumbar spine when subjected to axial compression provided positive data for the development of a minimally invasive technique capable of restoring split fractures of the spine. Level of evidence III; Experimental research.

Objective To analyze the behavior of thoracolumbar fractures of the coronal split type using the finite element method. Methods Two comparative studies were conducted through simulation of coronal split fractures in a finite model in which the first lumbar vertebra (L1) was considered to be fractured. In the first case, the fracture line was considered to have occurred in the middle of the vertebral body (50%), while in the second model, the fracture line occurred in the anterior quarter of the vertebral body (25%). The maximum von Mises stress values were compared, as well as the axial displacement between fragments of the fractured vertebra. Results The stress levels found for the fracture located at half of the vertebral body were 43% higher (264.88 MPa x 151.16 MPa) than those for the fracture located at the anterior 25% of the vertebra, and the axial displacement of the 50% fractured body was also greater (1.19 mm x 1.10 mm). Conclusions Coronal split fractures located in the anterior quarter of the vertebral body incurred less stress and displacements and are more amenable to conservative treatment than 50% fractures occurring in the middle of the vertebral body. Level of Evidence III; Experimental study.

Objective: This study aims to numerically evaluate the surgical treatment of thoracolumbar fractures, comparing the strengths between the long and short fixations using the pedicle of the fractured vertebra, taking into account the supraspinous, intertransverse, and anterior longitudinal ligaments. Methods: A numerical analysis of the techniques of long and short fixation of a thoracolumbar spine fracture was performed using computed tomography images that were converted into three-dimensional models and analyzed through the ANSYS program. The two types of treatments were analyzed considering the tensions generated in the immediate postoperative period, when the fracture has not yet been consolidated. The anterior, posterior, supraspinal and intertransverse longitudinal ligaments were added, in addition to considering different vertebral geometries. Results: Taking into account that the maximum tensile stress of the material used in the metal implant, in the case of titanium, was 960 MPa, the highest tension found in the analysis of the short instrumentation was 346.83 MPa, reaching only 36.13% of the load the material supports, being, therefore, within a safety limit. The analysis performed in the spine with long instrumentation showed the highest tension value of 229.22 MPa. Conclusions: Considering the values found and the resistance of the synthesis material used, the short and long fixation can be considered in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures with similarity and a good safety coefficient. Level of Evidence III; Case-Control.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar a força de resistência à tração de diferentes métodos de fixação tibial na reconstrução do ligamento anterolateral (LAL). Além disso, comparar os mecanismos de falha da fixação tibial dessa reconstrução em joelhos suínos. Métodos Foram usados 40 membros recém-congelados de suínos, divididos em quatro grupos de dez espécimes, conforme as técnicas de fixação tibial usadas. No grupo A, a fixação tibial do enxerto tendíneo foi feita por meio de uma âncora e seu fio transpassou o enxerto. No grupo B, a fixação tibial foi feita por meio de parafuso de interferência metálico em túnel ósseo único. No grupo C, a fixação tibial incluiu uma âncora associada à sutura de ponto sobre o tendão (sem a presença de fio que transpassasse o tendão) e, no grupo D, foram usados dois túneis ósseos confluentes associados a um parafuso de interferência em um dos túneis. Resultados A força média menos elevada (70,56 N) ocorreu no grupo A e a mais elevada (244,85 N), no grupo B; as médias dos outros dois grupos variaram entre 171,68N (grupo C) e 149,43 N (Grupo D). Considerando-se a margem de erro fixada (5%), foi observada diferença significativa entre os grupos (p < 0,001). Conclusão A fixação com parafuso de interferência em túnel ósseo único apresentou a maior força de resistência à tração dentre as técnicas avaliadas.