[Resorbable Vicryl mesh for new attachment after jaw fracture]

The principle of GTR, guided tissue regeneration, was developed by Scandinavian scientists in order to separate epithelium and connective tissue from periodontal ligament cells and bone, thereby eliciting new attachment after marginal periodontitis. In case of jaw fractures loss of attachment may be seen in relation to teeth in the line of fracture, especially after severe dislocation of the fragments. One such patient is reported in whom only emergency treatment was possible during the first 11 days due to a simultaneous cerebral trauma. As anticipated a deep osseous pocket developed on the actual tooth 43 even if the fractures were anatomically repositioned and fixed with osteosynthesis and even if the postoperative course was uneventful. Later, treated by interpositioning of a resorbable Vicryl membrane, new attachment formed with a gain of the order of magnitude of 8 mm with concomitant osseous regeneration. It is concluded that Vicryl mesh would definitely seem to have a place in the treatment of jaw fractures. However, there is an urgent need for a larger collection of meshes than presently available, including both larger sizes and other shapes.