Development of Biodegradable Implants for Use in Maxillofacial Surgery.

摘要

Maxillofacial injury requiring open or closed reduction is a frequent result of modern military conflicts. Traditional reduction methodologies involve the use of metallic plates, screws, and wires, along with their associated problems. Therefore, biodegradable fixation appliances which should provide initial rigidity then gradually weaken so that newly forming bone is exercised have been investigated. Composite plates made from poly(DL-lactide) and reinforced with calcium metaphosphate (CMP) fibers provided the required strength but rapidly weakened when they were exposed to an aqueous environment because of a loss of polymer/fiber interfacial integrity. Methods to protect the fiber/polymer interface from fluid-attach techniques were investigated. Coating the plates with a hydrophobic, biodegradable polymer reduced the strength loss and smaller-diameter fibers and improved fiber wetting by the matrix, also resulted in more stable composites. Therefore, plates were prepared using these techniques for USAIDR's canine studies to repair broken mandibles. Replicate plates tested in vitro proved to maintain sufficient strength to provide the necessary support during the healing process. Keywords: Osteogenesis; Resorable implant; Boneplate; Fracture fixation; Calcium metaphosphate; Composite; RA II; Bone healing; Dental surgery; (KT)