• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.80-84
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to assess the efficacy of a bioabsorbable polylactide (PLA) plate and screw for treating injuries of ankle fractures. Materials and Methods: 24 patients who underwent an open reduction and internal fixation operation for ankle fractures from July 2005 to March 2007 were enrolled into the study. There were 15 men and 9 women. The average age of the patients was 44 years and the average follow-up period was 16 years and two months (16.2 months). All cases were divided into low grade fracture patient (11) who belongs in type A and B of Danis-Weber classification and high grade fracture patient (13) who belongs in type C1, C2 of Danis-Weber classification, and each groups were analyzed by clinical (Meyer score) and radiological finding at the time of their last follow-up evaluation. Results: The clinical results according to Meyer scoring system, showed that all patient with low grade fracture had good to excellent result, but only 54% of patient with high grade fracture had good to excellent result. According to Cedell's radiologic finding, there were 91% cases above fair in low grade fracture. But there were 62% of patient above fair result in high grade fracture, the reduction losses were seen in 38% of patient with high grade fracture. Conclusion: Bioabsorbable PLA plate and screw is good internal fixation device which doesn't have additional operation for removal of implant because of slow absorption within the human body. It showed sufficient strength for acquisition and maintenance of reduction in low grade fracture, but need attention to use because of many cases of reduction loss in high grade fracture. So, it seems to be safe and effective when used in heeling of low grade fracture under considering about type of fracture sufficiently.