title: Osteolytic changes accompanying degradation of absorbable fracture fixation implants.
abstract: We analysed the radiographs of 67 patients with displaced malleolar fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation using absorbable polyglycolide rods. Seventeen patients developed a discharging inflammatory foreign-body reaction, a complication unique to these fixation devices. In 34 patients ovoid osteolytic foci, usually 5 to 10 mm in diameter, appeared within the implant channels six to 12 weeks after the operation. The same lesion occurred in 14 of the 17 patients who developed a foreign-body reaction, whereas only 20 out of the 50 patients with an uneventful course showed osteolytic areas (p less than 0.01). In patients with a foreign-body reaction the osteolytic foci tended to occur in the deepest parts of the implant channels. However, after one year the normal structure of the bone was restored.
authors.affiliation: Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: O M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Böstman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005360:Fibula / Q000293:injuries*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010014:Osteolysis; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011108:Polymers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000592:standards*; D011859:Radiography; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid