SELF-REINFORCED ABSORBABLE POLYLACTIDE (SR-PLLA) PLATES IN CRANIOFACIAL SURGERY - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT ON 14 PATIENTS

Self-reinforced polylactide (SR-PLLA) plates were used in 14 craniofacial operations. Sheets of SR-PLLA were cut to the desired shape, and these were fixed with titanium screws or with resorbable sutures and were used in addition to conventional titanium plates. There were no complications due to the use of SR-PLLA implants. The material is totally biodegradable and is hydrolysed in the body back to lactic acid and further metabolized to carbon dioxide and water.