Biodegradable osteosynthesis in mandibular advancement: a pilot study

In this pilot study four patients are presented who underwent bilateral sag ittal split osteotomies of the mandibular ramus for mandibular advancement. Biodegradable osteosyntheses were used for internal fixation. All patients were from the same dentofacial category: mandibular retrognathia with a lo w to normal mandibular plane angle. In two patients cylindrical self-reinforced polyglycolide (PGA) rods were u sed for internal fixation of the osteotomy segments. Long-term evaluation s howed a complete ossification at the sites of biodegradable rods. In two other patients, self-reinforced poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) screws with a diameter of 2 mm were used to stabilize osteotomy segments. The two different techniques of osteosynthesis and the problems encountered are discussed.