Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Creating Rigidly Stabilized Fractures for Assessing Intramembranous Ossification, Distraction Osteogenesis, or Healing of Critical Sized Defects
Published on: April 11, 2012
Mandibular, sagittal split osteotomies fixed with biodegradable or titanium screws: a prospective, comparative study
Carlo Ferretti1, Johan P Reyneke
1University of the Witwatersrand and Carstenhof Clinic, Johannesburg and Midrand, South Africa.
Objective:
Comparison of skeletal stability following bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) advancement of the mandible fixed with titanium or biodegradable bicortical screws.
Study Design:
Forty consecutive patients underwent mandibular advancement by means of BSSO performed with a standardized technique. In 20 patients rigid fixation was achieved by means of titanium bicortical screws; the other 20 patients were fixed with biodegradable copolymer screws made of poly-L-lactic acid (82%) and polyglycolic acid (18%). Lateral cephalograms were obtained 1 week preoperatively, 1 week postoperatively and after a minimum of 6 months postoperatively. Relevant skeletal points were traced and digitized to evaluate 2-dimensional skeletal change. Changes at each time point were analyzed and compared statistically.
Results:
There was no statistically significant difference in long-term stability between the 2 groups. No clinical or radiographic evidence of wound healing problems were noted.
Conclusion:
Resorbable poly-L-lactic/polyglycolic acid copolymer bicortical screw fixation of a BSSO is a viable alternative to titanium screws for the fixation of advancement BSSO.
