Use of new bioabsorbable tacks and a tackshooter in cranial bone osteofixation saves operative time.
A new device (a tackshooter) to apply bioabsorbable tacks in craniofacial surgery has been developed. This new device was used in 15 children who underwent various cranioplasty procedures to demonstrate its reliability and simple technical application in cranial bone osteofixation. Bone segments were fixed together and to the cranial bones using Biosorb plates and tacks. Stable and secure fixation was obtained intraoperatively, with reduced operative time (10-15%) compared with earlier use of plates and screws. However, its use in very thin bone (<1 mm thick) is very limited because of bone fragility. In conclusion, use of tacks and a tackshooter reduces operative time, risk of infection and blood loss, and consequently costs. It is therefore very useful in selected craniofacial cases.
Spanio
Stefano
S
Department of Plastic Surgery, Innsbruck University, Innsbruck, Austria.
Ashammakhi
Nureddin
N
Ilomäki
Jouko
J
Välimaa
Tero
T
Rainer
Christian
C
Waris
Timo
T
Törmälä
Pertti
P
Ninkovic
Milomir
M
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000293:Adolescent; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D015519:Bone Density; D001858:Bone Nails; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012886:Skull / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)