Bioabsorbable plate and screw fixation in orthognathic surgery

Area of Science:

• Orthognathic surgery
• Biomaterials science
• Craniofacial reconstruction

Background:

• Orthognathic surgery corrects jaw discrepancies.
• Traditional fixation methods involve non-resorbable materials.
• Resorbable polymers offer potential advantages in craniofacial reconstruction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the author's 10-year clinical experience with resorbable polymeric fixation in orthognathic surgery.
• To conduct a comprehensive literature review of resorbable plates and screws for similar applications.
• To assess the efficacy and safety of biodegradable fixation in orthognathic procedures.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of author's cases using resorbable plates/screws.
• Systematic literature search for published studies on resorbable fixation in orthognathic surgery.
• Review of case reports, clinical trials, and comparative studies.

Main Results:

• Summary of the author's clinical outcomes and observations over a decade.
• Synthesis of published data on biomechanical properties, healing, and complication rates.
• Identification of specific indications and contraindications for resorbable fixation.

Conclusions:

• Resorbable polymeric fixation is a viable option for select orthognathic surgery cases.
• Biodegradable materials may offer benefits such as eliminating the need for hardware removal.
• Further research is warranted to optimize material properties and expand clinical applications.