Can the plates be bent further if they do not match the geometry of the rib?
Yes. Since the plates are precontoured to fit an average rib shape, some minor intraoperative bending may be required. There is a plate bending template in the set to aid in determining the profile of the rib and to act as a guide in bending the plates, and there is an instrument in the set to help contour the plate both in-plane and out-of-plane. If contouring is necessary, avoid sharp bends, reverse bends, or bending of the implant at a screw hole. Avoid notching or scratching the implant. These factors may produce internal stresses which may become the focal point for eventual breakage of the implant.
