title: Malleolar fractures in alcoholics treated with biodegradable internal fixation. 6/16 reoperations in a randomized study.
abstract: 29 alcohol abusers with displaced malleolar fractures were randomized to treatment with biodegradable self-reinforced polyglycolide screws or metallic implants. During an average follow-up time of 7 (0-15) months, 8 patients out of 16 treated with biodegradable fixation had postoperative redisplacement of the fracture and 6 were reoperated. 1 fracture in 13 patients with metallic fixation had a slight displacement postoperatively which did not require reoperation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kankare
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hirvensalo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rokkanen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D017211:Treatment Failure