Abstract
Bioabsorbable implants are becoming more widely used in fracture fixation. Like metallic implants, bioabsorbable fixation devices are subject to failures such as infection, but they also have their own inherent failure types. Unlike metallic implants, bioabsorbable implants are radiolucent, making the determination of correct placement difficult. Each type of bioabsorbable material has its own degradation rate, which influences the formation of a granuloma or sterile sinus tract. Additionally, the in vivo time to complete absorbtion has yet to be determined for several types of bioabsorbable implants. As the uses of bioabsorbable fracture fixation expand, a classification system of failure types will provide a useful framework with which to compare new outcomes.
Our study examines 346 patients who underwent fracture fixation with bioabsorbable implants. Through a retrospective analysis of patient records, four distinct failure types emerged:Type I -
Iatrogenic Failure, Type II - Mechanical Failure, Type III - Biologic Failure, Type IV - Infection. Categorizing the failures under this classification system facilitates discussion about success and failure with these new fixation devices.
Key words
Failure types - Bioabsorbable fixation
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Shannon B. AntekeierM.D.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
University of Louisville School of Medicine
530 S. Jackson St
Louisville, KY 40202
USA
Phone: +1-502-852-6902
Fax: +1-502-852-7227
