BIORESORBABLE SCREWS FOR FACIAL BONE RECONSTRUCTION - A PILOT-STUDY IN RABBITS

Rigid fixation using plates and screws is an accepted mode of repair f or facial fractures and osteotomies. To avoid potential complications associated with metal implants, bioresorbable implants are being devel oped. A study was performed to assess the strength over time of three bioresorbable polymeric screws for facial bone reconstruction. Screws of each polymer type and a titanium control were implanted in the peri orbital bones of eight rabbits. Rabbits were euthanized at various tim e intervals. Pull-out testing and histological analysis were performed . Results showed varying degrees of resorption and screw pullout stren gth dependent on time and polymer type, and no change in the control. This study demonstrates that bioresorbable screws can be used in bone, although the optimal choices for human implantation are yet to be det ermined.