Bio-resorbable plates as effective implant in paediatric mandibular fracture

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of bio-resorbable plates in paediatric mandibular fracture.

Materials and methods: In the present study, 40 cases of mandibular fractures were treated by Inion Cps plating system using, 2 and 2.5 mm (LPLA/DLPLA/TMC/PGA) bio-resorbable bone plates and screws of 6 and 8 mm screws. The assessment of the patients was done at 2 week, 1, 3, and 6 months using the clinical parameters and bite force recording.

Results: There was significant reduction in pain at different follow-ups. Paraesthesia was found in two patients with body fracture which remained for 2 week and 1 month follow-up. No paraesthesia was found after 3rd follow-up. Significant stability of fracture fragments were found on different follow ups. Implant exposure was present only in two patients (5%) at 1 month follow up. There was significant increase in incisor, right molar and left molar bite force at 1, 3 and 6 months, from 2nd week onwards.

Conclusion: These findings show that the use of bio-resorbable plates in paediatric mandibular fracture was efficacious enough to bear the masticatory loads during osteosynthesis of the fracture. The recent and significant achievement is the advent of bio-resorbable osteosynthesis devices that has almost solved the problems of stress shielding, secondary surgery and corrosion when metal implants are left-in situ.