title: Early experience with biodegradable implants in pediatric patients.
abstract: We retrospectively studied nine children and adolescents with congenital malformations, large reconstruction after tumor excision, fractures and osteotomies of the upper extremity, and hand trauma with bone and soft tissue defects treated by internal synthesis using a biocopolymer of L- and DL-stereoisomers of lactic acid polymers and trimethylenecarbonate. A total of 52 biodegradable implants were placed in bone. At a minimum followup of 7 months (mean, 17 months; range, 7-22 months), wound healing was uncomplicated; local or systemic inflammatory tissue reactions, foreign body reactions, and infections were not observed. Bone healing was complete. Six biodegradable screws broke during insertion because of inadequate drilling and tapping, and three biodegradable screws had to be replaced because of damage to the screw head during assembly with the screwdriver. Biodegradable copolymers of poly-L-lactic-poly-DL-lactic acid and trimethylenecarbonate can be used safely and effectively for reconstruction and fixation of bone in children and adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Orthopaedics, Attikon General University Hospital and Athens University Medical School, Athens Greece 41, Ventouri Street, 15562, Holargos, Athens, Greece. andreasfmavrogenis@yahoo.gr
authors.forename: Andreas F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Mavrogenis
authors.forename: Anastasios D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Kanellopoulos
authors.forename: George N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Nomikos
authors.forename: Panayiotis J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Papagelopoulos
authors.forename: Panayotis N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Soucacos
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011108:Polymers; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers