title: The resorbable miniplate system Lactosorb in a growing cranio-osteoplasty animal model.
abstract: In the surgical treatment of craniosynostosis and craniofacial dysostosis in the growing child, passive intraosseous translocation (PIT effect) with intracranial displacement of metal plates and screws may be a problem. In an animal experiment, a possible PIT effect using resorbable PLA/PGA miniplates (Lactosorb, W. Lorenz, FL, USA) following cranio-osteoplasty were investigated in four young Göttingen minipigs. In addition to the mechanical properties, the processes of degradation and of sub- vs supraperiosteal application of the miniplates were evaluated. During degradation the resorbable PLA/PGA miniplates performed like metal plates as they also displayed passive intraosseous translocation in the growing animal model. However, in the experimental PLA/PGA miniplating the internal calvarial bone was not affected. Degradation took 12-18 months and was not delayed by bony incorporation. Mechanical properties proved to be sufficient in craniofacial surgery. Supraperiosteal plating delayed the PIT effect during the first 3 months after surgery. In the growing skull resorbable plates seem to be a promising therapeutic approach. However, prior to a general recommendation results of long-term clinical studies have to be evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Freidrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Germany. wiltfang@mkg.uni-erlangen.de
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiltfang
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Merten
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Luhr
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001860:Bone Plates; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000254:growth & development / Q000601:surgery; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008954:Models, Biological; D010012:Osteogenesis; D010521:Periosteum / Q000601:surgery; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D012886:Skull / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000601:surgery; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid