title: Resorbable skeletal fixation systems for treating maxillofacial bone fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of using resorbable plate and screw systems (RPSSs) compared with metal plate and screw systems (MPSSs) to treat maxillofacial bone fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon, South Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-two patients diagnosed as having zygomaticomaxillary fractures between February 1, 2004, and December 31, 2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used RPSSs in 56 patients and MPSSs in 26 patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Complication rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 82 patients included 72 males and 10 females aged 16 to 83 years. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 12 months. The complication rate was 7% (4 of 56) with RPSSs and 4% (1 of 26) with MPSSs. Using RPSSs, 2 patients experienced device exposure and 1 accompanying infection. With device exposure, the plates were removed. One patient noted paresthesia in the premaxillary area. Using MPSSs, 1 patient had a loosened metal screw; the other patients had no problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the present experience, there are many advantages to RPSSs. Nevertheless, we should select the fixation system carefully depending on the fracture site and whether there is accompanying infection. It is important to select the method that best fits the patient's situation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, School of Medicine, Hallym University, No. 153, Kyo-Dong, Chuncheon, Kangwon, Korea. hlpch@paran.com
authors.forename: Chan Hum
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyung Seob
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jun Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seok Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Young Gil
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Ok Joo
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008440:Maxillary Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011091:Polyesters; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014025:Titanium; D055815:Young Adult; D015051:Zygomatic Fractures / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide); D014025:Titanium