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Complications of bioresorbable fixation systems in pediatric neurosurgery
Cherukuri Ravi Kumar1, Sandeep Sood, Steven Ham
1Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
Objective:
Bioresorbable devices are an attractive alternative to metal instrumentation for internal fixation of bone, and have been used extensively in orthopedic and craniofacial surgery. In neurosurgery, the reported literature is predominantly confined to pediatric craniofacial procedures, with encouraging results and minimal complications. We have used bioreabsorbable plates and screws in cranial and spinal pediatric neurosurgery procedures. We report four complications related to their usage.
Materials And Methods:
Bioabsorbable instrumentation was used in pediatric patients for fixation of bone after cranial or spinal procedures.
Results:
Four patients developed complications related to the instrumentation: 2 following cranial surgery for epilepsy, 1 after correction of a growing skull fracture, and 1 after laminotomy for an intramedullary tumor. Two patients had fibrous encapsulation with granuloma formation and 2 patients had osteolysis following the fixation.
Conclusion:
Bioabsorbable fixation devices for the stabilization of bone following craniotomy and laminotomy in pediatric patients may be associated with complications, including granuloma formation and osteolysis.
