title: Use of bioabsorbable plates for cranial fixation.
abstract: LactoSorb fixation plates are made of a bioabsorbable polymer (82% poly-L-lactic acid and 18% polyglycolic acid), and the strength is not inferior to titanium plates. LactoSorb has been used in the fields of pediatric neurosurgery and facial plastic surgery. Cranial fixation in craniotomy is mostly performed using titanium plates and clamps, but there are issues with esthetics and artifacts on postoperative radiographic images. Absorbable plates solve these problems, but are slightly thicker and more expensive. Here, we describe a technique to solve these disadvantages by inserting absorbable plates into the diploe. The present method was employed in 46 patients, and esthetically favorable results were obtained without intraoperative and postoperative complications. Absorbable plates may replace titanium plates as the main device for cranial fixation. The present method is particularly useful for cranial fixation in adults with a thin scalp.
authors: Dohtoh Neurosurgical Hospital, Kitami, Hokkaido.
authors: Kosumo
authors: K
authors: Noda
authors: Rokuya
authors: R
authors: Tanikawa
authors: Toshihide
authors: T
authors: Sugimura
authors: Kazutsune
authors: K
authors: Kawasaki
authors: Teruo
authors: T
authors: Kimura
authors: Naoto
authors: N
authors: Izumi
authors: Masaaki
authors: M
authors: Hashimoto
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid