Archives of Craniofacial Surgery  2016;17(3):135-139

doi:10.7181/acfs.2016.17.3.135

The Efficacy of Bioabsorbable Mesh in Craniofacial Trauma Surgery.

Won Chul CHOI 1 ; Hyun Gon CHOI ; Jee Nam KIM ; Myung Cheol LEE ; Dong Hyeok SHIN ; Soon Heum KIM ; Cheol Keun KIM ; Dong In JO

Affiliations

+expand

Keywords

Absorbable implants; Fracture fixation, internal; Orbital fractures; Zygomatic fractures; Maxillary fractures

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The ultimate goal of craniofacial reconstructive surgery is to achieve the most complete restoration of facial functions. A bioabsorbable fixation system which does not need secondary operation for implant removal has been developed in the last decade. The purpose of this study is to share the experience of authors and to demonstrate the efficacy of bioabsorbable mesh in a variety of craniofacial trauma operations. METHODS: Between October 2008 and February 2015, bioabsorbable meshes were used to reconstruct various types of craniofacial bone fractures in 611 patients. Any displaced bone fragments were detached from the fracture site and fixed to the mesh. The resulting bone-mesh complex was designed and molded into an appropriate shape by the immersion in warm saline. The mesh was molded once again under simultaneous warm saline irrigation and suction. RESULTS: In all patients, contour deformities were restored completely, and bone segments were fixed properly. The authors found that the bioabsorbable mesh provided rigid fixation without any evidence of integrity loss on postoperative computed tomography scans. CONCLUSION: Because bioabsorbable meshes are more flexible than bioabsorbable plates, they can be molded and could easily reconstruct the facial bone in three dimensions. Additionally, it is easy to attach bone fragments to the mesh. Bioabsorbable mesh and screws is effective and can be easily applied for fixation in various craniofacial trauma reconstructive scenarios.