title: Clinical Evaluation of an Unsintered Hydroxyapatite/Poly-L-Lactide Osteoconductive Composite Device for the Internal Fixation of Maxillofacial Fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  OSTEOTRANS MX (Takiron Co, Ltd, Osaka, Japan) is a resorbable osteosynthetic material composed of an unsintered hydroxyapatite/poly-L-lactide composite, and its osteoconductive capacity has been documented. The authors here report their clinical experience using OSTEOTRANS MX.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors treated 35 patients (19 men, 16 women; age, 14-88 years; mean ± standard deviation, 38.4 ± 19.9 years) with maxillofacial fractures. The authors used standard surgery to stabilize fractures in all patients, fitting resorbable plates (thickness, 1.0 or 1.4 mm) and screws (diameter, 2 mm) according to Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Association (AO) for the Study of Internal Fixation guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients eventually achieved satisfactory healing with favorable restoration of form and function without foreign body reaction. Complications occurred in 3 patients-plate exposure in 2 and discomfort in 1. However, fracture sites healed in all patients. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the devices bonded directly to the bone without interposition of nonmineralized tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  OSTEOTRANS MX is a useful material with few complications. Its osteoconductive bioactivity is advantageous for the early functional improvement of maxillofacial fractures.
authors.affiliation: *Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Takamatsu, Kagawa †Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine, Shimane ‡Department of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Japan.
authors.forename: Shintaro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sukegawa
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kanno
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katase
authors.forename: Akane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shibata
authors.forename: Yuka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Furuki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017886:Durapatite / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008440:Maxillary Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011091:Polyesters / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C499699:hydroxyapatite-polylactide; D017886:Durapatite