title: Use of new bioabsorbable tacks and a tackshooter in cranial bone osteofixation saves operative time.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Innsbruck University, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spanio
authors.forename: Nureddin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ashammakhi
authors.forename: Jouko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ilomäki
authors.forename: Tero
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Välimaa
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rainer
authors.forename: Timo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Waris
authors.forename: Pertti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Törmälä
authors.forename: Milomir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ninkovic
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)