[Poly-beta-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) films and plates in defect covering of the osseus skull in a rabbit model].
BACKGROUND
Titan plates have proven a success in the operative assistance of middle face fractures for stabile osteosynthesis. Also bioresorbant materials are being used increasingly.


METHODS
Films and plates made from poly-beta-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) with two holes and bolts are tested subperiostally on the osseus skull of 15 rabbits or respectively on cut trough zygomatic arches. The test bodies and the surrounding tissue are explantated after a defined period and are clinically and histologically prepared.


RESULTS
All implants healed well. There were no macroscopic or microscopic signs of inflammation. A very slow, clinically not recordable decomposition followed. A "leap" in the decomposition evidently took place between the 20th and 25th month. Only initial signs of resorbation were to be found microfocally on the surface of the implant until 20 months after implantation but no more test body could be detected after 25 months.


CONCLUSIONS
PHB is suitable for defect covery of the osseus skull or respectively as osteosynthesis material for fractures of the visceral cranium.
Kramp
B
B
Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie "Otto Körner" der Medizinischen Fakultät der Universität Rostock, Germany. burkhard.kramp@med.uni-rostock.de
Bernd
H E
HE
Schumacher
W A
WA
Blynow
M
M
Schmidt
W
W
Kunze
C
C
Behrend
D
D
Schmitz
K P
KP
D000818:Animals; D001860:Bone Plates; D003399:Craniotomy; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000473:pathology; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000473:pathology; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006644:Histiocytes / Q000473:pathology; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D010521:Periosteum / Q000473:pathology; D011091:Polyesters; D011817:Rabbits; D012886:Skull / Q000473:pathology; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates
D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D011091:Polyesters; C003182:poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates