plaster of Paris (P.O.P.) bandage has been the pre-eminent external splinting material for over 150 years and from time to time synthetic alternatives have been tried. So far none has seriously challenged the dominance of P.o.P. as a primary or secondary material in the management of fractures. The recent introduction of Polyurethane coated fibreglass bandage appears to offer a more serious challenge than previous contenders. This technical note reviews bandage type splinting materials and explains some of the properties of the PU materials.
References
1.
FleetcroftJ. Plastering: a combination of old and new. Injury1982; 13: 131
2.
GoldbergL. A. Determination of the flammability of commercial splinting bandages. Pharm. J.1980; 225: 528
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GreenA. R.PhilipsG. E. New fracture immobilization materials-a fire hazard?. Injury1982; 14: 263
HuntD. M. New materials for the immobilization of fractures. Brit. J. Hasp. Med.1980; 24: 273
6.
MunroJ. K. The history of plaster of Paris in the treatment of fractures. Brit. J. Hosp. Med.1935; 24: 273
7.
RowleyD. I.PrattD.PowellE. S. The comparative properties of plaster of Paris and plaster of Paris substitutes. Arch. Orthop. Trauma Surg.1985; 103: 402
