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Updated: Sep 21, 2026
Creating Rigidly Stabilized Fractures for Assessing Intramembranous Ossification, Distraction Osteogenesis, or Healing of Critical Sized Defects
Published on: April 11, 2012
The use of biodegradable fixation in sagittal split and vertical subsigmoid osteotomy of the mandible: a preliminary
J McManners1, K F Moos, A El-Attar
1Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary NHS Trust, UK.
Objective:
An absorbable pin made from poly-p-dioxanone (Orthosorb, Johnson and Johnson, UK) was used to internally fix osteotomies of the mandibular ramus. We present our initial series of 10 patients.
Design:
Open study.
Setting:
Regional unit, teaching hospital, UK.
Subjects And Interventions:
10 patients who required a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSS, n = 3) or a vertical subsigmoid osteotomy (BVSS, n = 6), or both (n = 1).
Main Outcome Measure:
Jaw functioning and ability to open mouth.
Results:
9/10 followed up for 1 year, 1/10 lost to follow up at one month, 1/10 lost to follow up at one year. 7/9 reported the same degree of mouth opening as preoperatively, 2/9 slightly less. 3/10 developed slight anterior open bite problems; 1/10 required no treatment, 1/10 improved with selective grinding, and 1/10 was lost to follow up. No patient complained of discharge from the site of the implant or of any change in sensation of the lip.
Conclusion:
Small absorbable implants undoubtedly have a place in selected maxillofacial operations, but there are still some problems with their use, including complications during the learning curve.
