BIOABSORBABLE INTERFERENCE SCREWS - HISTOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION 4.5 YEARS AFTER OPERATION

The use of degradable implants in recent years has brought not only go od results. Foreign body reactions to implantation of degradable polym ers clearly curtailed the initial expectations. Bioabsorbable polymers have been used for sutures, vascular clips, and fixation implants for both intra-articular fractures and malleolar fractures. In the litera ture these implants are controversial. Potential benefits remain for t he use of this material for interference screws if the problems of inf lammation are minimal and the fixation properties are sufficient. Ther e is no need for a second operation for removal. In one patient, 4.5 y ears after to implantation of an degradable interference screw (Copoly mer 85/15 D,L lactide glycolide; Biologically Quiet, Instrument Makar, Inc. Mount Hope, MI 48864, USA) we took an biopsy and made histologic al examinations. No foreign body reaction or inflammation signs could be detected.