title: A bioabsorbable poly-L-lactide miniplate and screw system for osteosynthesis in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a bioabsorbable poly-L-lactide (PLLA) miniplate system for osteosynthesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ultra-high-strength PLLA rods were fabricated using a drawing technique. This osteosynthesis system, consisting of bioabsorbable PLLA miniplates and screws, was used clinically on 50 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The only post operative complications were two cases of postoperative infection, but these were controlled by an oral antibiotic regimen or plate removal. Bone healing was satisfactory in all cases, without delay of bony union or obvious displacement of segments after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PLLA miniplates provided effective osteosynthesis of the maxillofacial skeleton.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bessho
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iizuka
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murakami
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007572:Jaw Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011091:Polyesters; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011859:Radiography; D015051:Zygomatic Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide)