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Resorbable plate fixation in pediatric craniofacial surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg 1997 Jul;100(1):1-7; discussion 8-13

Date

07/01/1997

Pubmed ID

9207653

DOI

10.1097/00006534-199707000-00001

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0030926022 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   157 Citations

Abstract

Resorbable bone plates composed of a copolymer of polylactic and polyglycolic acids stabilized into position with metallic microscrews were used in the reconstruction of pediatric craniofacial deformities. In 100 patients between 4 and 15 months of age, a total of 912 resorbable plates were implanted over a 2 1/2-year period. Their application was simple and rapid and required no special instrumentation. Currently, 85 patients are more than 1 year postimplantation, which is the known time for complete resorption of this copolymeric compound. No complications have been seen with this use, including infection, overlying soft-tissue reactions, reconstructive instability, or underlying osteolysis around the screws, as determined by postoperative plain radiographs at 6 months and 1 year postoperative time periods. Four patients have had screws removed due to either palpability or secondary reconstructive surgery between 9 and 18 months postoperatively, all of whom exhibited complete polymer resorption and normal bone healing. These clinical results demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of this copolymeric material for pediatric craniofacial applications.

Author List

Eppley BL, Sadove AM, Havlik RJ

Author

Robert Havlik MD Chair, Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Absorption
Bone Plates
Bone Screws
Craniofacial Abnormalities
Craniosynostoses
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Infant
Lactic Acid
Polyglycolic Acid
Polymers
Postoperative Complications
Radiography
Reoperation
Skull