title: Management of paediatric maxillofacial fractures: conventional methods and resorbable materials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the outcomes between the use of resorbable plates and screws and the conventional methods in children with paediatric maxillofacial fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  a retrospective observational study was designed reviewing the clinical records from June 2007 and June 2011. Data collected included aepidemiological data, type of treatment, outcome and satisfaction questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1122 children (0-17 years old) were studied. Children treated by conventional methods were 912, while children treated by resorbable materials were 210. The frequency of complications during recovery was similar and no statistically significant difference was noted. The satisfaction questionnaire revealed similar percentages of satisfaction, with a high degree of satisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our experience suggests that resorbable devices should be considered as a treatment option, which avoids the need of further surgery to remove metallic fixation, limits hospital spending and increases children's quality of life.
authors: Department of Paediatric Maxillofacial Surgery, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Burlini
authors: UOC Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry, IRCCS Fondazione Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Conti
authors: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Amadori
authors: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Bardellini
authors: Department of Paediatric Maxillofacial Surgery, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: De Giuli
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000058:Accidental Falls; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D008440:Maxillary Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D009917:Orbital Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome