EARLY EXPERIENCE WITH BIODEGRADABLE FIXATION FOR CONGENITAL PEDIATRICCRANIOFACIAL SURGERY

We describe early experience using a polymeric bioresorbable bone fixa tion system in a consecutive series of eight pediatric patients for th e correction of craniofacial malformations. Indications for surgical t reatment included craniosynostosis (7) and encephalocele (1), All pati ents underwent bifrontal craniotomies with cranial vault or orbital re construction or both. Segments were then stabilized using bioresorbabl e fixation systems, Patients were evaluated pre-and postoperatively cl inically and with radiographs and photographs, Mean follow-up was 4.5 months, with a minimum follow-up of 3 months, In seven of eight patien ts, there was no incidence of infection, extrusion, exposure, erythema , instability of the advanced segments, relapse, haematoma, seroma for mation, or adverse inflammatory reaction. One patient experienced diff iculty with respect to system imperfections (i.e., drill holes after t apping were too large for screws). This study demonstrated the efficac y of bioresorbable plates and screws for the growing pediatric craniof acial patient; excellent short-term results were achieved, Prospective studies and longer longitudinal follow-up of larger numbers of patien ts are desirable to confirm these findings.