Bioabsorbable plates and screws fixation in mandible fractures: clinical retrospective research during a 10-year period.

ABSTRACT

We present the basic guidelines for the safe fixation of a mandible fracture using a bioabsorbable system with less strength than the metallic system based on our 10 years of experience.We conducted a retrospective review of 75 patients who had undergone fixation using a bioabsorbable system for a mandible fracture. We analyzed the method of fixation and the size and thickness of the plates and screws that were selected depending on the mandible's fracture site.Minor complications including intraoral wound disruptions and infections occurred in 12 (16%) patients, and 2 (2.7%) patients among 10 patients who presented with infections had nonunion; therefore, they underwent replacement of the absorbable system with the titanium system. Bone resorption that was caused by the absorbable plate occurred in 12 (16%) patients.The bioabsorbable system also may be able to replace the metallic system in the fixation of comminuted mandible fractures if further research on the development of the system is supported.