• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.45-50
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• 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
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 1994

Recently, we have used internal fixation with titanium miniplate which introduced by Champy in 1976 in facial bone fractures. In cases of mandibular fractures, particulary mandibular angle fractures, we usually underwent the open reduction extraorally. But extraoral approaches may leave scars and put the facial nerve at greater risk. So, we had undergone the intraoral approaches in 31 patients of mandibular angle fractures (male : 29, female : 2). These patients visited in Wonkwang university hospital from October 1991 to June 1993. We got easy operation time as average 20 minutes than extraoral approach. And reduced the postoperative nerve injury(14.2%), but postoperative infection is 6.1% nearly as same as extraoral approach. TMJ problems after intraoral open reduction was similar to extraoral approaches.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 1996

In Fibrous dysplasia(FD) of the jaws, the majority of cases can await the cessation of growth before surgical intervention, and it seems prudent to delay surgery whenever possible until growth has ceased. In craniofacial FD, however, the dangers of dystopia, dystopia and loss of vision may require early surgery to prevent or control cranio-orbital complications. Delaying surgery in those circumstances may be significantly detrimental to such patients. Conservative surgical management of FD is widely practised and we advocate an extension to this conservative treatment by combining surgical recontouring with appropriate osteotomies if indicated, to achieve an optimal esthetic and functional results in craniofacial FD. One case will be presented to illustrate the feasiblility of such combined treatment, to report the uneventful healing of osteotomies in the FD of the jaws, and to demonstrate the use of titanium miniplate fixation in dysplastic bone. The other case had expansile disease of the left facial and fronto-temporal bones and osteolytic change left mandible. This patient complained of severe spontaneous bleeding of left mandibular premolar area and it was suspected as central hemangioma of the left mandible and craniofacial FD. Angiogram disclosed generalized dilation of the external carotid artery and its branches, especially terminal branches of the left facial and inferior alveolar arteries. But no specific abnormalities, such as A-V shunt, venous lake, or early venous drainage, was seen. So it was diagnosed craniofacial FD with hypercellularity and generalized bony recontouring was performed via coronal and transoral approaches.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.458-464
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• 2011

Purpose: Metacarpal fractures are common hand injury that may require operative intervention to ensure adequate reduction and stabilization. Traditionally, titanium miniplate was used for rigid fixation of bone fractures. However, the use of permanent plate lends itself to multiple complications such as infection, exposure of the hardware, tendon adhesions, tendon rupture, prolonged pain, bony atrophy and osteoporosis (stress shielding), metal sensitization, and palpation under the skin. This study evaluated the usefulness and stability of biodegradable plates and screws for treatment of metacarpal bone fractures. Methods: There was 17 patients who had surgery for metacarpal bone fracture from April 2007 to June 2010. All patients had open reduction and internal fixation. We used absorbable plates and screws (Inion CPS$^{(R)}$) for internal fixation. Postoperative results were assessed with x-ray. Stability of plates and screws, healing process and its complications were observed by clinical and radiographic assessment. Results: All patients were successfully reduced of bone fracture, and fixations with absorbable plates and screws were stable. The mean follow up period was 7.1 months. 2 patients complained postoperative pain, but they were relieved with analgesics. All patients experienced transient stiffness, but they were relieved with active assistive range of motion after removal of splint. No patients suffered complications which could be occurred by using metallic plate. Conclusion: There was no critical complications such as re-fracture or nonunion among patients. No patients suffered side effects related with metallic implants. Biodegradable implants can offer clinically stable and attractive alternative to metallic implants to stabilize metacarpal bone fractures in the hand.