Abstract
BackgroundImplants made from bioabsorbable unsintered hydroxyapatite and poly-L-lactate composites (u-HA/PLLA) are widely used in the oral, maxillofacial, and orthopedic fields. This study assess the long-term (> 5 years) outcomes of patients with metacarpal fractures who were surgically treated using bioabsorbable plates and screws (Super-Fixsorb MX40 mesh; Teijin Medical Technology, Osaka, Japan).MethodsA retrospective analysis of six patients with eight metacarpal fractures treated with bioabsorbable plates was done. All patients were followed for more than 5 years post-surgery. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using Q-DASH scores and the grip strength (GS): opposite side ratio. The resorption status of implants was assessed on plain computed tomography (CT) scans at final follow-up appointments.ResultsThe mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 29.5 years (16–54), and the median follow-up period was 81.8 months (68–101). All fractures united without displacement after an average of 3.5 months, and there were no implant specific complications associated with the use of absorbable plates. The mean grip strength ratio was 85.1% (56.8–104.5). The mean Q-DASH scores of 11.36 points (0–34.09) was good in all but two patients. We also observed that it took more than 8 years for the plates to be absorbed completely.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that the process of bioabsorption in metacarpal fractures might be completed in about 8 years, and the absorption speeds were different inside and outside of the bone. The bioabsorbable plates are more cost-effective than metallic implants. The potential for bioabsorbable plates to be used in various clinical procedures is promising.
Highlights
Implants made from bioabsorbable unsintered hydroxyapatite and poly-L-lactate composites (u-HA/ PLLA) are widely used in the oral, maxillofacial, and orthopedic fields
Open reduction and internal fixation is a common surgical treatment for unstable metacarpal fractures, and the use of metallic implants is considered the gold standard for operative treatment [2, 3]
These implants are often associated with high complication rates [5, 6]. u-HA/PLLA bioabsorbable implants have been introduced as a reliable alternative to titanium plates
Summary
Implants made from bioabsorbable unsintered hydroxyapatite and poly-L-lactate composites (u-HA/ PLLA) are widely used in the oral, maxillofacial, and orthopedic fields. This study assess the long-term (> 5 years) outcomes of patients with metacarpal fractures who were surgically treated using bioabsorbable plates and screws (Super-Fixsorb MX40 mesh; Teijin Medical Technology, Osaka, Japan). U-HA/PLLA composites are widely used in oral and maxillofacial, and orthopedic fields, especially fractures of the upper extremities such as metacarpal fractures and distal radial intra-articular fractures [8,9,10,11]; in the treatment of unstable metacarpal fractures, most surgeons still use metal plates. Human studies in oral and maxillofacial fields have shown that surgically implanted u-HA/PLLA composites were absorbed in 6 years [12]. No previous report has detailed long-term clinical outcomes using u-HA/PLLA plates
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
