PASSIVE AND ACTIVE INTRACRANIAL TRANSLOCATION OF OSTEOSYNTHESIS PLATES IN ADOLESCENT MINIPIGS

On the basis of the clinical and experimental proof that intracranial translocation of osteosynthesis plates occurs in infants after fixatio n on frontal bone, we conducted an animal study on four adolescent Got tingen minipigs. Our aim was to study the effects on intracranial tran slocation of two different types of osteosynthesis plates by comparing the plate-bone interface on the intact frontal bone treated with a mu ltiple-point contact plate versus a conventional smooth one, paying sp ecial emphasis to the periosteum. Within a few weeks of implantation, osseous regeneration products surrounded the plate. Total invagination of plates with initial intracranial translocation occurred 12 to 16 w eeks postimplantation, regardless of plate design. In epiperiosteal fi xation, intracranial translocation was delayed. The results revealed t wo mechanisms at play here: cranial growth-related passive intracrania l translocation, which occurs regardless of plate design, and plate-de pendent active intracranial translocation. In conclusion, we recommend that all metal osteosynthesis materials implanted in the infant crani um be removed as early as possible (within 3 months).