title: [Surgical treatment of ankle joint fractures with biodegradable screws and plates of poly-l-lactide].
abstract: In a first clinical protocol 19 ankle fractures have been fixed by plates and screws made of biodegradable polylactic acid. Fracture confirmation was achieved within 6 weeks. 52% of our patients demonstrated an aseptic soft tissue problem caused by delayed clearance of the degrading polylactide particles. In a 2nd protocol with 7 patients volume reduced plates and screws with flat heads were applied. None of these patients had any soft tissue reaction. These results emphasize that the application of plates and screws of polylactic acid is acceptable for fixation of ankle fractures. Soft tissue inflammatory reactions can be avoided by using volume reduced implants.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Abteilung, St. Rochus-Hospital Castrop-Rauxel.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eitenmüller
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: David
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pommer
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Muhr
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011091:Polyesters; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide)
vernacular_title: Operative Behandlung von Sprunggelenksfrakturen mit biodegradablen Schrauben und Platten aus Poly-L-Lactid.