INTERNAL-FIXATION WITH BIODEGRADABLE RODS IN PEDIATRIC FRACTURES - ONE-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF 50 PATIENTS

Fifty children with transphyseal or osteochondral fractures were treat ed with biodegradable osteosynthesis material and followed for at leas t 1 year. All 50 fractures healed, and there were no major complicatio ns; 11 of them were fractures of the radial humeral condyle. In a pros pective randomized study, they were compared with metal pin fixation o f the same fracture (eight cases). No major differences were noted. Af ter the study was completed, we observed two cases of nonunion of intr aarticular fractures of the radial head, probably related to foreign b ody reaction to the resorbable implant material. Biodegradable osteosy nthesis material is advantageous in treatment of children's fractures because it makes a removal operation unnecessary. It is ideal in cases of osteochondral fractures. Further experience with this material is necessary, however, before it can be safely recommended.