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Absorbable materials in orthopaedic surgery
1Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Töölö Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Annals of Medicine
|April 1, 1991
Summary
Biodegradable aliphatic polyesters offer effective fracture fixation comparable to metal implants. These absorbable devices eliminate the need for removal surgery, benefiting patients and reducing costs.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Aliphatic polyesters derived from hydroxy acids are key surgical biodegradable polymers.
- Current applications include sutures, drug delivery systems, and biodegradable devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the development and clinical use of absorbable devices for fracture and osteotomy fixation.
- To compare the efficacy of absorbable implants with traditional metallic implants.
Main Methods:
- Clinical evaluation of absorbable implants in 1,300 patients undergoing fracture or osteotomy fixation.
- Assessment of surgical outcomes and comparison with metallic implants.
Main Results:
- Absorbable implants demonstrated comparable results to metallic implants in fixing cancellous bone fractures and osteotomies.
- No removal procedures were necessary for the absorbable implants, unlike metallic osteosyntheses.
Conclusions:
- Absorbable implants made from aliphatic polyesters are a viable alternative to metallic implants for fracture fixation.
- The use of these biodegradable devices offers significant patient benefits and cost savings due to the elimination of removal surgery.