title: Biodegradable polylactide plates and screws in orthognathic surgery: technical note.
abstract: In orthognathic surgery, the bone fragments are usually fixed with metallic plates and screws. Metallic devices other than titanium plates are usually removed after the osteotomy has consolidated, which often requires general anaesthesia. Titanium plates, supposed to be biotolerable, have been introduced in order to overcome this need for secondary intervention. However, due to corrosion, titanium particles have been found in scar tissue covering these plates and in locoregional lymph nodes. Therefore, their removal is also advocated. Self-reinforced poly (L-lactide) homopolymer (PLLA) and poly (L/D-lactide) stereocopolymers with a L/D molar ratio up to 85/15 have sufficient strength to overcome the need for additional support for the fixation of fractures. The plates can be bent at room temperature. The surgical technique and early results of a case of bimaxillary surgery and genioplasty fixed with bioresorbable material without postoperative rigid maxillomandibular fixation are reported.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital of Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Haers
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Suuronen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lindqvist
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sailer
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D002680:Chin / Q000601:surgery; D003343:Corrosion; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000378:metabolism; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000601:surgery; D008334:Mandible / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000295:instrumentation; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003722:Dental Alloys; D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide); D014025:Titanium