title: Bioabsorbable plates and screws in pediatric craniofacial surgery: a review of 22 cases.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the application of bioabsorbable fixation devices in reconstructive craniofacial procedures in the pediatric population. We reviewed 22 cases in which bioabsorbable plates and screws were used in craniofacial surgery for reconstruction. The procedures were performed in a 7-month period. The patients ranged in age from 5 to 228 months at the time of surgery (mean, 76.7 months). The postoperative clinical follow-up ranged from 2 to 16 weeks. The fixation devices were evaluated with regards to satisfactory fixation at the time of procedure. The postoperative follow-up evaluated clinical wound healing, signs of infection or local inflammation, and visibility or palpability of plates through the skin. All patients except one showed satisfactory wound healing with no sign of infection or local inflammation. The plates provided satisfactory fixation and were not visible through the skin. Two patients had plates that were palpable at the 4-month follow-up period. One patient with repair of a blow-out fracture of the orbit with resorbable mesh had redness and swelling over the wound site 2 weeks postoperatively with resolution 4 weeks postoperatively. Our early experience suggests reabsorbable fixation is an attractive option in pediatric plastic and craniofacial surgery. With further experience, this technology may represent the standard of care in reconstruction of the infant calvarium.
authors.affiliation: Section of Plastic, Reconstructive & Maxillofacial Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Staffenberg
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Petronio
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000601:surgery; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019344:Lactic Acid; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers; D012886:Skull / Q000601:surgery; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid