BIOABSORBABLE FIXATION DEVICES - STATUS FOR THE CRANIOMAXILLOFACIAL SURGEON

With time, more and more types of medical devices become available to assist the surgeon in managing patients, Bioabsorbable fixation device s, which have been directed toward the orthopedic surgeon over the pas t 10 years, are but one example. One aim of this article is to present the current status of bioabsorbable devices in medical practice to th e craniomaxillofacial surgeon who may not be aware of the Inroads this technology has made. A bioabsorbable fixation system has become avail able for use by the craniomaxillofacial surgeon, which is described. A further aim of this article is to present concisely the testing rigor required of such devices before their introduction to the U.S. market . This has the added benefit of explaining the important role of the s urgeon in developing and helping reduce to standard clinical practice the use of new technologies.