title: Biodegradable fixation of mandibular fractures in children: stability and early results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficiency of biodegradable self-reinforced (SR-PLDLA) bone plates and screws in open reduction and internal fixation of mandible fractures in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen patients (5 female, 8 male; mean age 12 years, range 5-16 years) were operated on various fractures of the mandible (2 symphyseal, 6 parasymphyseal, 4 body, 3 angle, 1 ramus, 2 condylar fractures). The mean follow-up time was 26.4 months (range 10.9-43.4 months). Intermaxillary fixation was applied in cases with concomitant condylar fractures up to 3 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Primary healing of the fractured mandible was observed in all patients. Postoperative complications were minor and transient. The outcome of the operations was not endangered. Adverse tissue reactions to the implants, malocclusion, and growth restrictions did not occur during the observation period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pediatric patients benefit from the advantages of resorbable materials, especially from faster mobilization and the avoidance of secondary removal operations. Based on these preliminary results, self-reinforced fixation devices are safe and efficient in the treatment of pediatric mandible fractures. However, further clinical investigations are necessary to evaluate the long-term reliability.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Cranio-Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. Kaan.yerit@meduniwien.ac.at
authors.forename: Kaan C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Yerit
authors.forename: Sibylle
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hainich
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Enislidis
authors.forename: Dritan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Turhani
authors.forename: Clemens
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Klug
authors.forename: Gert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wittwer
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ockher
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Undt
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kermer
authors.forename: Franz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Watzinger
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ewers
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000293:Adolescent; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)