INTERNAL-FIXATION OF ANKLE FRACTURES WITH BIODEGRADABLE POLY-L-LACTIDE-SCREWS AND PLATES

In a first clinical protocol 19 ankle fractures have been fixed by pla tes and screws made of biodegradable polylactic acid. Fracture confirm ation was achieved within 6 weeks, 52 % of our patients demonstrated a n aseptic soft tissue problem caused by delayed clearance of the degra ding polylactide particles. In a 2nd protocol with 7 patients volume r educed plates and screws with flat heads were applied, None of these p atients had any soft tissue reaction. These results emphasize that the application of plates and screws of polylactic acid is acceptable for fixation of ankle fractures. Soft tissue inflammatory reactions can b e avoided by using volume reduced implants.