title: Bioabsorbable plates and screws fixation in mandible fractures: clinical retrospective research during a 10-year period.
abstract: We present the basic guidelines for the safe fixation of a mandible fracture using a bioabsorbable system with less strength than the metallic system based on our 10 years of experience.We conducted a retrospective review of 75 patients who had undergone fixation using a bioabsorbable system for a mandible fracture. We analyzed the method of fixation and the size and thickness of the plates and screws that were selected depending on the mandible's fracture site.Minor complications including intraoral wound disruptions and infections occurred in 12 (16%) patients, and 2 (2.7%) patients among 10 patients who presented with infections had nonunion; therefore, they underwent replacement of the absorbable system with the titanium system. Bone resorption that was caused by the absorbable plate occurred in 12 (16%) patients.The bioabsorbable system also may be able to replace the metallic system in the fixation of comminuted mandible fractures if further research on the development of the system is supported.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Plastic Surgery, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea; and †JK Plastic Surgery Clinic, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Rha
authors.forename: Hyewon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Paik
authors.forename: Jun Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Byeon
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult