Craniofacial reconstruction with a fast resorbing polymer: a 6- to 12-month clinical follow-up review.
OBJECTIVE
Resorbable polymer implants have become a compelling option in the treatment of acquired and congenital craniofacial deformities. In particular, the resorbable polylactide and polyglycolide polymers have demonstrated excellent safety profiles in multiple in vitro, animal, and clinical studies and are currently being used in a wide variety of craniofacial applications. In pediatric craniofacial reconstruction a desirable attribute of fixation is early resorption, which may limit the duration of any effect on cranial growth. In this paper the authors discuss the biomaterial properties of a fast resorbing polymer (FRP) and the clinical results in a series of patients who participated in a 6- to 12-month study.


METHODS
The authors performed craniofacial reconstruction by using FRP implants in 29 patients beginning in August 2002. All patients experienced maintenance of stable bone fixation followed by bone healing. Cosmetic results were rated satisfactory or excellent, except for one unsatisfactory cosmetic result caused by disease progression.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study support the effectiveness of an FRP implant in a variety of craniofacial surgical procedures including craniosynostoses, fibrous dysplasia, cranial defects, and encephaloceles.
Cohen
Steven R
SR
Craniofacial Surgery Service, Children's Hospital of San Diego, California 92123, USA. scohen@sdfaces.com
Holmes
Ralph E
RE
Meltzer
Hal S
HS
Levy
Michael L
ML
Beckett
Miles Z
MZ
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D001863:Bone Screws; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000601:surgery; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000601:surgery*; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006016:Glycolates; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019344:Lactic Acid; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing
D006016:Glycolates; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid