The fate of resorbable poly-L-lactic/polyglycolic acid (LactoSorb) bone fixation devices in orthognathic surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of resorbable poly-L-lactic/polyglycolic acid (PLLA-PGA) bone fixation devices used for fixation of maxillary and mandibular osteotomies.


METHODS
Twelve patients were postoperatively evaluated. Eight patients who had undergone bilateral sagittal split mandibular osteotomies that had been fixed with PLLA-PGA screws were followed-up for up to 2 years postoperatively with radiographs. One of these patients underwent a bone biopsy for detailed histologic evaluation of the screw fixation sites. Two patients who had undergone mandibular symphyseal osteotomies were also radiographically evaluated at 18 months to 2 years postoperatively. Two patients who had Le Fort I osteotomies fixed with PLLA-PGA plates and screws underwent open exploration of the operated sites for visual examination.


RESULTS
All 8 mandibular osteotomy patients showed radiographic screw hole lucency immediately after surgery that remained unchanged in the first year after surgery. By 18 months postoperatively, all 48 screw holes showed near or complete trabecular bone fill. The bone biopsy of one screw hole at 2 years postoperatively showed complete fill with normal trabecular bone. No residual polymer material or fibrous scar was seen. The mandibular symphyseal sites showed complete elimination of all screw holes by 2 years postoperatively, with only faint evidence of intraosseous tunnels. The maxillary sites showed complete bone healing along the osteotomies and no evidence of residual fixation material or bone defects in the screw holes. No communication with the maxillary sinus was seen in the fixation sites.


CONCLUSIONS
This orthognathic patient series showed complete resorption of the PLLA-PGA fixation devices without osteolysis in maxillary and mandibular bone sites by 18 to 24 months after surgery.
Edwards
R C
RC
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, NY, USA. RCERME@dellnet.com
Kiely
K D
KD
Eppley
B L
BL
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D001706:Biopsy; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019340:Osteotomy, Le Fort / Q000295:instrumentation; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid