title: The Clinical Feasibility of Newly Developed Thin Flat-Type Bioresorbable Osteosynthesis Devices for the Internal Fixation of Zygomatic Fractures: Is There a Difference in Healing Between Bioresorbable Materials and Titanium Osteosynthesis?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In recent years, bioresorbable plates have undergone remarkable development. However, there has been no attendant improvement in their strength, because strength requires thickness, and complications such as palpability are related to the thickness of bioresorbable plate systems. In this clinical study, we compared the surgical management of zygomatic fractures using newly developed thinner bioresorbable materials or conventional titanium miniplates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients with zygomatic fractures were randomly divided equally into 2 groups (6 with new bioresorbable osteosynthesis materials and 6 with standard titanium miniplates). Using computed tomography, we evaluated the thickness of the soft tissue and plate at the zygomaticofrontal sutures in each patient with the help of detailed radiographic computed tomography data at 6 months postoperatively. We compared the amount of soft-tissue volume increase between the uninjured healthy and injured operated sides in each patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups eventually achieved satisfactory healing, with a favorable restoration of form and function and without any complications, including palpability. The amount of soft-tissue volume increase at the operated side relative to the uninjured healthy side using new thin bioresorbable plates was 131.1% (range: 101.5-165.8). On the other hand, that of titanium miniplates was 126.4% (range: 102.2-167.6). There was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This newly developed thinner flat-type bioresorbable plate system could be considered clinically useful in the treatment of zygomatic fractures even in easily palpated areas, such as the infraorbital rim or zygomaticofrontal sutures, without any healing differences in skeleton as compared with conventional titanium miniplates.
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, Izumo, Shimane‡Cariology and Operative Dentistry, Department of Restorative Sciences, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo§Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Kagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Shintaro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sukegawa
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kanno
authors.forename: Daiki
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nagano
authors.forename: Akane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shibata
authors.forename: Yuka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sukegawa-Takahashi
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Furuki
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014025:Titanium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology; D015051:Zygomatic Fractures / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium