title: Resorbable fixation techniques for genioplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the capability and effectiveness of resorbable bone fixation devices in genioplasty surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients underwent different genial movements that were stabilized with either 2.5-mm polylactic-polyglycolic acid lag screws or 2.0-mm polylactic-polyglycolic acid plates and screws.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one anterior mandibular osteotomies were performed in 20 patients. Sixteen patients had advancement (80%), 2 had horizontal setback (10%), and 2 had vertical reduction (10%). The average advancement was 7.6 mm (range, 4 to 14 mm), the average horizontal setback was 6.0 mm (range, 4 to 8 mm), and the average vertical reduction was 7.0 mm (range, 5 to 9 mm). Fixation was done using the lag screw technique in 13 patients (65%) and plate and screw fixation in 7 patients. (35%) Intraoperative stability was satisfactory in all cases. There were no postoperative infections or segmental instability up to 6 months after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Resorbable polylactic-polyglycolic acid lag screw and plate and screw fixation is a viable alternative for fixation of anterior horizontal osteotomies of the mandible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 1st Medical Group, Langley AFB, 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; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D002680:Chin / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid