The use of self-reinforced biodegradable bone plates and screws in orthognathic surgery

Purpose: This report describes the authors' experience with self-reinforced biodegradable bone plates and screws to stabilize maxillary and mandibular osteotomies. Patient acceptance, demographics, types of osteotomy, means of stabilization, etiology of the deformity, complications, and patient disposition are reviewed. Patients and Methods: Seventy patients underwent 194 osteotomies of the maxilla and/or mandible. Stabilization of each osteotomy was achieved using self-reinforced polylactite bone plates and/or screws of similar size and configuration to that of titanium systems. Placement of the devices was accomplished transorally and transfacially, consistent with the osteotomy approach. Maxillomandibular elastics were used to control the position of the jaws in each patient. Results: There was good patient acceptance of the material (70/74). Stabilization was accomplished as planned in all patients. Three patients experienced problems that resulted in immediate loosening of the bone screws. The remaining 67 experienced no short-term problems (6 to 24 months), and healing progressed uneventfully. In each case, acceptable occlusion and favorable aesthetic changes were noted. Conclusions: The experience with self-reinforced polylactite bone plates and screws to stabilize maxillary and mandibular osteotomies has been favorable on short-term observation. © 2002 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons J Oral Maxillofac Surg 60:59-65, 2002