title: Resorbable PLLA-PGA screw fixation of mandibular sagittal split osteotomies.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intraoperative placement and clinical effectiveness of resorbable copolymeric screws for mandibular sagittal split ramus osteotomies. Thirty-seven patients who underwent bilateral sagittal split osteotomies of the mandible were fixated with three 2.5-mm copolymeric poly-L-lactic-polyglycolic (PLLA-PGA) screws on each side. No postoperative maxillomandibular fixation was applied. Twenty-five patients experienced mandibular advancement and 12 patients had setbacks. The average advancement was 6.5 mm (range, 3-17 mm) and the average set-back was 5.2 mm (range, 3-8 mm). Intraoperative placement was uncomplicated and no screws were stripped during placement. No problems in immediate postoperative stability were encountered and relapse was not evident in any patient. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 17 months. The screw holes remained evident radiographically after 1 year. Two and one-half-millimeter copolymeric PLLA-PGA resorbable screws for mandibular ramus osteotomies appear to offer clinical results comparable with metallic screw fixation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 1st Medical Group, Langley Air Force Base, VA, USA.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Kiely
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Eppley
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid