Clinical applications of bioabsorbable materials in zygomatico-orbital fractures : 7 years experience

Abstract EN

Purpose : A retrospective study to review the clinical outcome and stability of biodegradable materials for the fixing zygomatico-orbital fractures using two different methods.

Materials and Methods : One hundred and seven consecutive patients with zygomatico-orbital fractures during the period of January 2001 to December 2007 were treated using PDLLA Martin biodegradable hardware.

They were included into two groups.

Study group 1 (n = 45) in which predrilling and tap was done before screw insertion.

Study group 2 (n = 62) where sonicweld pin were used.

It was done in accordance with the development of new hardware.

Treatment outcome and complications recorded for both groups.

Results : In group 1, forty-two (93.4 %) patients had uneventful healing while three (6.6 %) patients developed mild soft tissue reaction.

Seventy-two plates and 300 tapped screws used.

Fifty-five (18.4 %) screws were broken and 4 (5.6 %) plates replaced for margin shear.

In group 2, 62 patients had seventy fractures were treated using 570 sonic weld pins and 135 plates.

There were 2 (1.5 %) plates replaced due to excessive bending and 10 (1.7 %) screws improperly welded.

Conclusion : Biodegradable osteosynthesis materials can be safely used for treatment of zygomatico-orbital factures with minimal postoperative complications and can replace titanium hardware.