Mandibular, sagittal split osteotomies fixed with biodegradable or titanium screws: a prospective, comparative study of postoperative stability.
OBJECTIVE
Comparison of skeletal stability following bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) advancement of the mandible fixed with titanium or biodegradable bicortical screws.


METHODS
Forty consecutive patients underwent mandibular advancement by means of BSSO performed with a standardized technique. In 20 patients rigid fixation was achieved by means of titanium bicortical screws; the other 20 patients were fixed with biodegradable copolymer screws made of poly-L-lactic acid (82%) and polyglycolic acid (18%). Lateral cephalograms were obtained 1 week preoperatively, 1 week postoperatively and after a minimum of 6 months postoperatively. Relevant skeletal points were traced and digitized to evaluate 2-dimensional skeletal change. Changes at each time point were analyzed and compared statistically.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference in long-term stability between the 2 groups. No clinical or radiographic evidence of wound healing problems were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Resorbable poly-L-lactic/polyglycolic acid copolymer bicortical screw fixation of a BSSO is a viable alternative to titanium screws for the fixation of advancement BSSO.
Ferretti
Carlo
C
University of the Witwatersrand and Carstenhof Clinic, Johannesburg and Midrand, South Africa.
Reyneke
Johan P
JP
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D001863:Bone Screws; D002508:Cephalometry; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D016268:Internal Fixators; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012008:Recurrence; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D014945:Wound Healing
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D014025:Titanium