title: [Application of absorbable plate in oral maxillofacial fractures].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the biological features and clinical efficacies of absorbable plates and screws for rigid internal fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2006 to June 2010, 201 FIXSORB(TM)-MX absorbable plates were used in 57 patients, including 41 males and 16 females aged from 11 - 81 years. And 185 plates were used in 53 patients of maxillofacial fracture and 16 plates in 4 undergoing orthognathic operations with rigid internal fixation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All wounds healed primarily and there were no major complications. Forty-five cases were followed up for an average period of 12 months (range: 3 - 36). No obvious adverse effect and absorbable implants rejection were observed. The fracture lines were in the right position in 56 cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As a kind of fine material for internal fixation with strong elasticity and strength, absorbable plate shall be widely used clinically.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xi
authors.forename: Rong-fa
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Bu
authors.forename: Hai-zhong
authors.initials: HZ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ge
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D007572:Jaw Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult