Evaluation of Bioresorbable vis-à-vis Titanium Plates and Screws for Craniofacial Fractures and Osteotomies.

BACKGROUND: Rigid internal fixation with metals is a reliable method of achieving osteosynthesis while allowing the patient passive or even functional loading of the fracture or osteotomised bone segments. The disadvantages with metals have led to the introduction of resorbable polymers in rigid internal fixation.

METHODS: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of these polymers as compared to titanium in fixation of bone segments fixation in 40 patients of zygomatic complex fractures and craniosynostosis management. The cases were followed up for one year.

RESULT: The stability of the fixation was found to be comparable to metallic fixation though the armamentarium and procedure of fixation of resorbable system was more demanding and the technique sensitive.

CONCLUSION: The resorbable system is a good system for rigid internal fixation in specific conditions where muscular and stress forces are not a determining factor in fragment displacement.