title: Use of bioresorbable plating systems in paediatric mandible fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the use of bioresorbable plating systems in the rigid fixation of paediatric mandible fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our series consists of fifteen paediatric patients (11 male, 4 female, average age 8.13 years) with mandible fractures of varying severity treated with bioresorbable plates over a 54-month period at our institution. Fractures of the ramus, body, parasymphysis, and symphysis were treated by one surgeon with open reduction and internal fixation with 1.5 mm and 2 mm resorbable plates and monocortical screws, using 3 different plating systems, each with differing polymer concentrations of polyglycolic and poly-L-lactic acid. The patients were followed with respect to the following clinical categories: fracture location, postoperative occlusion, maximum interincisal opening (MIO), segmental mobility at the fracture site, and any abnormal swelling at the operative site.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our data shows a stable occlusion and maximum interincisal opening of thirty millimetres or greater was achieved in 14 of 15 patients seen in follow up, with 8 patients having an MIO of 40 mm or greater. No segmental mobility noted at any of the fracture sites. Thirteen patients had no postoperative sequelae or implant related complications. Two patients developed a seroma-like collection at the operative site. Postoperative films starting at 1 year showed significant bony osseous fill where the previous screw sites were located.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our case series we found that the use of resorbable polyglycolic and poly-L-lactic acid plating systems when combined with a brief postoperative period of intermaxillary fixation is an effective method of internal fixation for mandibular fractures in the paediatric population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Department Chair: Anh D. Le), Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: david.stanton@uphs.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Stanton
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Department Chair: Anh D. Le), Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Frederick
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Department Chair: Anh D. Le), Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Jason W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Department Chair: Anh D. Le), Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mistretta
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000293:Adolescent; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D001864:Bone Wires; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D049291:Seroma / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid
keywords: Bioresorbable; Children; Facial fractures; Osteosynthesis; Surgical treatment