title: Clinical use of resorbable polymeric membranes in the treatment of bone defects.
abstract: The reconstruction of large bone defects remains a clinically challenging condition. Although many treatment approaches exist, they all have limitations. Recently, bioresorbable polylactide membranes have become commercially available. These membranes, when applied to bone defects, enhance bone healing by direct osteoconduction, exclusion of nonosseous tissues, and enhancing the osteogenic environment for autologous grafts. When combined with appropriate internal fixation and autologous bone graft, bioresorbable polylactide membranes allow for single-step reconstruction of large bone defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Front Range Orthopedic Association Memorial Hospital, 175 South Union, Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80910, USA. rmeinig@comcast.net
authors.forename: Richard P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Meinig
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011091:Polyesters; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide)