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Resorbable Implants for Mandibular Fracture Fixation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Yehuda Chocron1, Alain J Azzi1, Sabrina Cugno1
1Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Global Open
|October 9, 2019
Summary
Resorbable implants show comparable outcomes to metallic plates for treating adult mandible fractures, with similar complication rates. This systematic review offers evidence for surgical decision-making in fracture fixation.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Mandibular fractures in adults typically require rigid fixation for optimal occlusion and infection prevention.
- Resorbable materials are being explored as alternatives to traditional metallic plates for fracture management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze outcomes of resorbable implants for mandibular fractures.
- To compare the efficacy and complication rates of resorbable implants versus metallic implants.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of clinical studies on resorbable plates for mandible fractures.
- Outcome assessment included hardware failure, infection, wound dehiscence, reoperation, malocclusion, and nonunion.
- Meta-analysis of prospective studies comparing resorbable and metallic implants.
Main Results:
- 19.8% overall complication rate with resorbable implants (n=90/455), with infection (6.8%) and wound dehiscence (6.2%) being most common.
- Nonunion occurred in 1.1% of patients (n=5/455).
- Meta-analysis showed no statistically significant difference in adverse event rates between resorbable (18.0%) and metallic (18.3%) implants.
Conclusions:
- Resorbable and metallic implants demonstrate statistically similar outcomes for managing mandible fractures.
- This study provides an evidence-based reference for surgeons in the absence of large randomized controlled trials.
