Resorbable Plateing And Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery

Resorbable materials have been used as fixation materials in craniomaxillofacial surgery [1]. In contrast to titanium plating systems, resorbable plating systems have not been used on a large scale for the fixation of mandibular fractures or for bony free flap fixation. In oncological reconstruction of the mandible, patients are frequently fed via a Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy or with Nasogastric tube. Initially this is to allow the soft tissue element of the reconstruction to heal, however if the soft tissue reconstruction involves the swallowing mechanism, it may be to prevent aspiration. It may be continued or commenced, due to the complications of post operative radiotherapy, to allow the patient to undertake appropriate calorific intake. Most commonly patients are managing with a pureed diet which requires little mastication. This shows that in the healing period of the reconstruction, very few patients are eating a normal diet compared to patients with a fractured mandible. Post operative radiotherapy takes place normally 4 to 6 weeks after surgery and lasts normally for 6 weeks. This means that when function is being fully restored, the mandible will have fully osseointegrated with the free flap. A Review of the Use of Resorbable Plateing Systems in Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery: Douglas Hammond, Sat Parmar

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Last date updated on April, 2024