title: Biodegradable internal fixation for malleolar fractures. A prospective randomised trial.
abstract: Fifty-six patients with displaced malleolar fractures had open reduction and fixation of the fracture fragments using, by random selection, either biodegradable implants or metal AO plates and screws. The cylindrical biodegradable implants were made of polylactide-glycolide copolymer (polyglactin 910). The complications, radiographic results and functional recovery were studied prospectively. After follow-up of at least one year, no significant differences emerged in the complication rate or in the results of treatment between the two methods of fixation. Because of the advantage of avoiding the need to remove metal fixation after union, we now use biodegradable internal fixation routinely to treat displaced malleolar fractures.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011098:Polyglactin 910 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011108:Polymers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D011897:Random Allocation; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D011098:Polyglactin 910