O. Korkala et al., Biodegradable screw fixation of the syndesmosis together with metallic osteosynthesis. Preliminary experience of 7 ankles., ANN CHIR GY, 88(4), 1999, pp. 295-297
Background and Aims: In ankle fractures with separation of the tibiofibular
mortise a metallic syndesmosis screw is generally used. As a rule, this tr
ansfixing screw is removed by a separate operation 6 to 8 weeks later. Usua
lly the fracture fixation implants are removed by a second operation later
on. In order to eliminate separate removal of the transfixing screw, we use
d a biodegradable syndesmosis screw in a pilot clinical study.
Patients and Methods: We treated seven consecutive patients with malleolar
fractures and separation of the syndesmosis by an ordinary metallic plating
and screw fixation of the fractures and biodegradable polyglycolic acid (P
GA) screw transfixation of the syndesmosis.
Results and Conclusions: All the patients ended up with an acceptable resul
t and stable ankle mortise. One of the ankles, which was the only one fixed
by two transfixing PGA screws instead of one screw, had transient sinus fo
rmation and intraosseal osteolysis. The final result was good also in this
case. The ankle mortise can be fixed safely by biodegradable screws in conn
ection with metallic osteosynthesis of malleolar fractures. Thus a separate
removal of the transfixing material is possible to eliminate.