• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.45-50
• /
• 2008

Purpose: Traditionally, titanium miniplate has been used for rigid fixation of mandible fractures. However, the limitations of metal plate have been reported such as hypersensitivity, interference with the cranio-facial growth of growing child, secondary bone resorption around the plate, foreign body reaction, declination of primary callus formation, and bone atrophy, and so forth. Recently, biodegradable miniplate has been introduced and used as an alternative to the metal plate despite of its lower strength. This study evaluated the usefulness and stability of biodegradable plate and screw for treatment of mandible fractures. Methods: In this study, 61 patients(92 areas) diagnosed as mandible fracture in the last 2 years have been reviewed. We used titanium plate and screw in 32 patients, and biodegradable plate and screw($INION^{(R)}$) in 29 patients. Stability of plates and screws, bony healing process and its side effects were observed by clinical and radiographic assessment. Results: In the titanium material group, one of malocclusion, two of mouth opening limitation, three of pain, three of palpation were shown. The plate of six patients involved in these complications were removed. In the biodegradable group, two of mouth opening limitation, two of pain, one of localized wound infection were shown and one plate was removed secondarily. Conclusion: There was no statistical difference between two groups in bony healing and complication rates. Biodegradable implants show efficient stability during initial bone healing and low side effects in long-term follow up periods.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.207-217
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the stress distribution and displacement in mandible according to treatment modalities of mandibular angle fractures, using a three dimensional finite element analysis. A mechanical model of an edentulous mandible was generated from 3D scan. A 100-N axial load and four masticatory muscular supporting system were applied to this model. According to the number, location and materials of titanium and biodegradable polymer plates, the experimental groups were divided into five types. Type I had a single titanium plate in the superior border of mandibular angle, type II had two titanium plates in the superior tension border and in the inferior compression border of mandibular angle, type III had a single titanium plate in the ventral area of mandibular angle, type IV had a single biodegradable polymer plate in the superior border of mandibular angle, type V had a single biodegradable polymer plate in the ventral area of mandibular angle. The results obtained from this study were follows: 1. Stress was concentrated on the condylar neck of the fractured side except Type III. 2. The values of von-Mises stress of the screws were the highest in the just-posterior screw of the fracture line, and in the just-anterior screw of Type III. 3. The displacement of mandible in Type III was 0.04 mm, and in Type I, II, IV, and V were 0.10 mm. 4. The plates were the most stable in the ventral area of mandibular angle (Type III, V). In conclusion, the ventral area of mandibular angle is the most stable location in the fixation of mandibular angle fractures, and the just- posterior and/or the just-anterior screws of the fracture line must be longer than the other, and surgeons have to fix accurately these screws, and the biodegradable polymer plate also was suitable for the treatment of mandible angle fracture.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.127-135
• /
• 2009

Objectives : The titanium fixation system has been used in orthognathic surgery for fixation of bone segments usually, but the biodegradable fixation system was developed and also being used. The strongest point in the biodegradable system is that no extra operation should be needed to remove fixation materials. In spite of this merit, oral & maxillofacial surgeons hesitate to use this system in fracture or orthognathic surgery. In this study, as we got some clinical experiences, we'd like to report the result of clinical study using the biodegradable fixation system in orthognathic surgery. Patients and Methods : A total of 35 patients composed of 17 males and 18 females with 25 osteotomies in maxilla and 34 osteotomies in mandible were fixated with the biodegradable fixation system(Inion $CPS^{(R)}$). We investigated methods of stabilization, fixation time, and complications on the basis of the method as above. Results : Four 2mm thick L shaped plates with 7 holes of which 1 hole was removed were fixed in maxilla with six $2.0{\times}7mm$ screws. Three $2.5{\times}16{\sim}18mm$ screws were used to fix superior ramus area and one mandibular angle area in mandible. It took about 27.4 minutes in maxilla, 25.3 minutes in mandible to perform the fixation which took longer time than the titanium system(9.5 minutes in maxilla, 8 minutes in mandible). Generally, there was no problem except 9 cases in which there were some complications. Conclusions : In most cases, the biodegradable fixation system can be used without problem in usual orthognathic surgery. But, this system is inferior to the titanium fixation one in some respects such as fixation time, size, and physical property. Some supplementations for such weak points as aforementioned should be needed for the universal use of biodegradable materials.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.451-458
• /
• 2009

Metallic bone plates and screws have been commonly used in oral and maxillofacial surgery for internal fixation. However, there are several disadvantages such as atrophy of cortical bone inherent to excessive rigid fixation systems, growth disturbance in growing individual, allergy reaction, interference with radiographic imaging, palpability, thermal sensitibity and the need for subsequent removal. To overcome these disadvantages and avoid additional surgery of removal of plates and screws, there have been many studies of biodegradable plates and screws. But, It also has complication such as foreign body reactions. We have undertaken a clinical and retrospective study on 140 patients in Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Inha University Hospital from February 2006 to March 2009. The purpose of this study is to report the clinical cases and review of the literatures with biodegradable plates and screws. And we concluded following results. 1. 6 cases(3.4%) of the 177 operation sites(140 patients) experienced complications. 1 case(0.6%) was a failure of initial fixation, 1 case(0.6%) was a postoperative infection, 4 cases(2.3%) were inflammations or foreign body reaction. 2. Postoperative infections, inflammations and foreign body reactions were completely recovered with incision and drainage, supporative care with antibiotic coverage and removal of biodegradable plates. 3. Biodegradable plates and screws provide acceptable rigidity and stability clinically. But, long-term observation is required for the tissue reactions around the biodegradable plates and screws because of long resorption periods of the biodegradable materials.