title: Intramedullary fixation in digital replantation using bioabsorbable poly-DL-lactic acid rods.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate bioabsorbable poly-DL-lactic acid (PDLLA) intramedullary rods for fracture fixation of amputated digits.
  
  
  METHODS
  From October 2005 to October 2007, we used bioabsorbable rods made of PDLLA as intramedullary fixation in osteosynthesis procedures in 9 cases of digital replantation. Four cases involved the middle phalanx and 5 the proximal phalanx. The amputation level was diaphyseal in all cases. All patients were followed up from 6 months to 2 years, with an average of 13 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All fractures healed in 6 to 8 weeks. There were no infections. There was no evidence of hardware failure at 4 weeks after surgery. According to the Tamai et al criteria, the results were excellent in 8 cases and good in 1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using bioabsorbable PDLLA rods for intramedullary fixation can be an effective technique for replantation with fractures through the proximal or middle phalanges. Bioabsorbable rods can provide rigid stable fixation, which allows early mobilization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China. wangpeiji88@163.com
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Peiji
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Qirong
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Jianzhong
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huayi
authors.forename: Zhou
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kailong
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012092:Replantation / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011100:Polyglycolic Acid