title: Assessment of material- and technique-related complications following sagittal split osteotomies stabilized by biodegradable polylactide screws.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to determine whether there are any material-related problems and increased occurrence of postoperative mandibular nerve and temporomandibular joint dysfunctions in connection with the use of biodegradable self-reinforced poly-L-lactide (SR-PLLA) screws for bone fixation after bilateral sagittal split osteotomies (BSSO).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty consecutive patients who underwent BSSO and mandibular advancement that included fragment fixation using SR-PLLA screws were monitored for an average of 2.2 years postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The osteotomy sites healed uneventfully with no adverse reactions. The incidence of postoperative sensory disturbances of the inferior alveolar nerve was 27%. Symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD) observed preoperatively in 73% of patients were reduced to 48% after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The occurrence of postoperative sensory disturbances and TMJD symptoms in this study did not deviate strikingly from that of other studies using conventional osteosynthesis. No specific complications related to the screw material were observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Helsinki University. ilkka.kallela@fimnet.fi
authors.forename: Ilkka
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kallela
authors.forename: Pekka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laine
authors.forename: Riitta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Suuronen
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lindqvist
authors.forename: Tateyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iizuka
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects; D003389:Cranial Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000209:etiology; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000601:surgery; D019186:Mandibular Advancement / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000209:etiology; D011091:Polyesters / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide)