• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.127-135
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• 2009

Objectives : The titanium fixation system has been used in orthognathic surgery for fixation of bone segments usually, but the biodegradable fixation system was developed and also being used. The strongest point in the biodegradable system is that no extra operation should be needed to remove fixation materials. In spite of this merit, oral & maxillofacial surgeons hesitate to use this system in fracture or orthognathic surgery. In this study, as we got some clinical experiences, we'd like to report the result of clinical study using the biodegradable fixation system in orthognathic surgery. Patients and Methods : A total of 35 patients composed of 17 males and 18 females with 25 osteotomies in maxilla and 34 osteotomies in mandible were fixated with the biodegradable fixation system(Inion $CPS^{(R)}$). We investigated methods of stabilization, fixation time, and complications on the basis of the method as above. Results : Four 2mm thick L shaped plates with 7 holes of which 1 hole was removed were fixed in maxilla with six $2.0{\times}7mm$ screws. Three $2.5{\times}16{\sim}18mm$ screws were used to fix superior ramus area and one mandibular angle area in mandible. It took about 27.4 minutes in maxilla, 25.3 minutes in mandible to perform the fixation which took longer time than the titanium system(9.5 minutes in maxilla, 8 minutes in mandible). Generally, there was no problem except 9 cases in which there were some complications. Conclusions : In most cases, the biodegradable fixation system can be used without problem in usual orthognathic surgery. But, this system is inferior to the titanium fixation one in some respects such as fixation time, size, and physical property. Some supplementations for such weak points as aforementioned should be needed for the universal use of biodegradable materials.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.85-92
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• 1998

Various methods for fixation of graft have been widely used for reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament. However, the biomechanical strength of each fixation techniques are not fully understood. The purpose of this study is to compare the pull out strength of different fixation techniques which is probably the most important factor for the success at the initial stage of healing. Biomechanical test was carried out to measure and compare the pull out tensile strength of five different fixation techniques in 35 pig(Yorkshire) knees. ANOVA and Duncan multiple comparison test was applied for statistical analysis. In the two fixation techniques with bone patellar tendon bone graft, the mean maximum tensile strength was $1333.4{\pm}148.5N$ with titanium interference screw, while it was $1310.1{\pm}168.9N$ with biodegradable interference screw. The failure mode were pulled out of bone plugs from the femoral tunnel in majority cases. In the fixations with hamstring tendon, the mean maximum tensile strength were $1405.9{\pm}135.1N$ with SemiFix screw, $820.3{\pm}104.5N$ with biodegradable interference screw, and $682.1{\pm}54.2N$ with Endobutton. The mode of failure was variable in each technique. The tendon was pulled out from the tunnel in biodegradable interference screw fixation, the screw was bent in the SemiFix system, and the polyester tape were ruptured or the buttons were pulled into tunnel in Endobutton fixation. The mean maximum tensile strength of two interference screws with bone patellar tendon bone was statistically comparable to that of SemiFix with hamstring tendon. However biodegradable interference screw and Endobutton with hamstring tendon showed weaker maximum tensile strength than above three fixation techniques (P<0.05).

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.499-503
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• 2007

Introduction: In orthognathic surgery, internal fixation has been usually done with titanium plates and screws. Recently, Biodegradable plates and screws have been frequently used but the reports of long term results of postoperative stability are rare, especially after maxillary reposition in orthognathic surgery. Objective: In order to clarify the clinical utility of self-reinforced bioresorbable poly-70L/30DL-Lactide miniplates & screws in maxillary fixation after LeFort I osteotomy, this study examined the postsurgical changes in maxilla and complications of biodegradable plates and screws. Study design: Nineteen patients who had undergone maxillary internal fixation using biodegradable plates and screws were evaluated radiographically and clinically. A comparison study of the changes in maxilla position after surgery in all 19 patients was performed with 1-week, 1-month, 3-months, 6-months and/or 1-year postoperative lateral cephalograms by tracing. Complication of the biodegradable plates and screws was evaluated by follow-up roentgenograms and clinical observation. And one-way ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The position of the maxillary bone was stable after surgery and was not changed significantly from 1 week to 1 year after operation. And we could not find any complication of biodegradable plates and screws. Conclusions: Internal fixation of the maxilla after LeFort I osteotomy using self-reinforced biodegradable plates and screws is a reliable method for maintaining postoperative position of the maxilla after LeFort I osteotomy.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.255-261
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• 2010

Introduction: To evaluate the skeletal stability after a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) setback of the mandible fixed with a biodegradable internal fixation device or metal internal fixation device. Materials and Methods: Thirty consecutive patients underwent mandibular setback via BSSO. Fifteen patients were fixed with a biodegradable internal fixation device or metal internal fixation device respectively. Posteroanterior (PA) and lateral cephalograms were taken preoperatively and at two days, 5.5 months and 14.5 months postoperatively. The relevant skeletal points were traced and digitized to evaluate the skeletal changes postoperatively. The relapse rates were analyzed and compared statistically. Results: There was no statistically significant differences in postoperative stability between the two groups.(P<0.05) Conclusion: The biodegradable internal fixation device may make an effective device alternative to a metal internal fixation device for setback BSSO.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.222-225
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• 2006

The treatment objective of mandibular fracture is a return to normal function. According to Champy, a rigid fixation of mandibular angle fracture is performed by using 4 or 6 holes titanium miniplates on the external oblique ridge of mandible. However, the limitations of metal plate such as hypersensitivity, interference with the cranio-facial growth of growing child, secondary bone resorption around the plate, foreign body reaction, declination of primary callus formation, and bone atrophy due to the lack of normal stress reaction of the bone have been reported. Recently, biodegradable miniplate has been introduced and used as an alternative to the metal plate despite its lower strength than that of the titanium plate and the side effect caused by the resorption in the body. In this study, 61 patients diagnosed as mandibular angle fracture and treated from Jan. 1998 to Dec. 2004 in our department have been reviewed. Metal plate fixation was used in 50 patients and biodegradable plate fixation in 11 patients on the external oblique ridge around the fractured mandibular angle according to the principle of monocortical osteosynthesis by Champy. We compared the incidence of side effects and the degree of bony union at the mandibular inferior border in two different fixation methods. In conclusion, we have found that one miniplate regardless of matter could provide enough strength to grasp bony fragments of the tension site and compress the inferior border of mandible without any complications.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.60-64
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• 2006

Backgrounds: Though they are considered as reliable devices, titanium plates and screws have limitations due to some potential problems. To overcome these problems, researches on bioabsorbable materials for internal fixation have been continuing. Recently, there are many clinical trials to apply biodegradable internal fixation devices in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of application of bioabsorbable plates and screws in orthognathic surgery. Methods: Fifty-four patients with dentofacial deformity (17 male patients and 37 female patients) were selected in this study. The patients were treated by internal fixation using bioabsorbable plates and 2.4-mm, 2.0-mm pretapped screws (Biosorb FX, Bionix Implants, Inc., Finland). The patients were evaluated for complications during the follow-up period. Results: Five patients (9.3%) experienced complications. All complications in these cases were infection. No other complications related with physical or mechanical properties of bioabsorbable plates were found such as malunion or nonunion, fractures of plates and loosening of screws. All complications were minor and adequately managed with drainage and supportive care with antibiotics coverage. Conclusions: From the results, the use of these fixation systems in orthognathic surgery will provide a promising alternative titanium fixation in appropriate cases.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 2005

The efficacy of bioresorbable fixation has recently been described in the osseosynthesis of the oral & maxillofacial region. However, a liitle data exist regarding the use of biodegradable plates and screws for the internal fixation of human mandible fractures. The purpose of this study is to analyze and compare the treatment of mandibular fractures by using a bioresorbable fixation system with conventional titanium system in human mandible fractures. eighteen patients constituted the bioresorbable fixation group and twenty-five patients constituted the titanium fixation group. Both groups underwent open reduction and internal fixation by use of a bioresorbable system or a titanium fixation system. Panoramic radiograph were obtained preoperatively, immediately postoperatively after reduction, at 6 months and at 12 months postoperatively. In the bioresorbable fixation group, complication(infection) occurred in 1 patient(5.6%) and was resolved by incision & drainage, plate removal and antibiotics without untoward sequelae. 2 patients(8.0%) experienced complications in the titanium fixation group and were treated using conservative treatment. There was no statistical difference in complication rates between two groups. Our data supported the use of bioresorbale plate fixation in mandibular fractures as a means of avoiding the potential and well documented problems with rigid titanium fixation systems. In conclusion, the bioresorbable fixation system provide a reliable and sufficient alternative to conventional titanium plate system.

• 대한관절경학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.45-46
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• 2008

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.451-458
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• 2009

Metallic bone plates and screws have been commonly used in oral and maxillofacial surgery for internal fixation. However, there are several disadvantages such as atrophy of cortical bone inherent to excessive rigid fixation systems, growth disturbance in growing individual, allergy reaction, interference with radiographic imaging, palpability, thermal sensitibity and the need for subsequent removal. To overcome these disadvantages and avoid additional surgery of removal of plates and screws, there have been many studies of biodegradable plates and screws. But, It also has complication such as foreign body reactions. We have undertaken a clinical and retrospective study on 140 patients in Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Inha University Hospital from February 2006 to March 2009. The purpose of this study is to report the clinical cases and review of the literatures with biodegradable plates and screws. And we concluded following results. 1. 6 cases(3.4%) of the 177 operation sites(140 patients) experienced complications. 1 case(0.6%) was a failure of initial fixation, 1 case(0.6%) was a postoperative infection, 4 cases(2.3%) were inflammations or foreign body reaction. 2. Postoperative infections, inflammations and foreign body reactions were completely recovered with incision and drainage, supporative care with antibiotic coverage and removal of biodegradable plates. 3. Biodegradable plates and screws provide acceptable rigidity and stability clinically. But, long-term observation is required for the tissue reactions around the biodegradable plates and screws because of long resorption periods of the biodegradable materials.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 1997.05a
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• pp.154-154
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• 1997