Resorbable skeletal fixation systems for treating maxillofacial bone fractures

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of using resorbable plate and screw systems (RPSSs) compared with metal plate and screw systems (MPSSs) to treat maxillofacial bone fractures. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon, South Korea. Patients: Eighty-two patients diagnosed as having zygomaticomaxillary fractures between February 1, 2004, and December 31, 2008. Intervention: We used RPSSs in 56 patients and MPSSs in 26 patients. Main Outcome Measure: Complication rates. Results: The 82 patients included 72 males and 10 females aged 16 to 83 years. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 12 months. The complication rate was 7% (4 of 56) with RPSSs and 4% (1 of 26) with MPSSs. Using RPSSs, 2 patients experienced device exposure and 1 accompanying infection. With device exposure, the plates were removed. One patient noted paresthesia in the premaxillary area. Using MPSSs, 1 patient had a loosened metal screw; the other patients had no problems. Conclusions: Based on the present experience, there are many advantages to RPSSs. Nevertheless, we should select the fixation system carefully depending on the fracture site and whether there is accompanying infection. It is important to select the method that best fits the patient's situation.