[The stabilization of malleolar fractures and flake injuries using absorbable polyglycolide pins (Biofix)]

In a one year period 15 ankle fractures (13 B-type, two fractures of the medial malleolus) and six flake fractures were operated using biodegradable pins and documented prospectively. These are made of polyglycol acid fibrils compressed by use of a melting technique. They are available in different lengths and strengths. The shear strength is decreasing about half of the initial value within four weeks. The ankle fractures were stabilized with two systems of PGS-pins and PDS or Maxon figure-of-0 tension bands. Postoperative functional treatment was applied. The ankle fractures had healed after six weeks in twelve patients, after seven weeks in two, and in one patient only after nine weeks. Osseous healing of the flake fractures took more time. After six weeks was only one, after seven weeks were two and after nine weeks three fractures healed. Full load bearing was achieved after 8.9 weeks in the malleolar fracture group and after 10.8 weeks in the flake fracture group. Total duration of treatment was 10.2 weeks, respectively 12.4 weeks. It could be shown with this study that osteosynthesis of the ankle with biodegradable pins and functional postoperative treatment is basically possible. Furthermore these pins are apted ideally for fixation of flake fractures due to their high stiffness and simple application technique.