The use of resorbable bone fixation devices composed of a copolymer of polyglycolic acid and polylactic acid were investigated in an animal model as well as in human application. We used resorbable plates and metallic microscrews in immature rabbits; plating of the coronal suture resulted in complete device resorption and increased interscrew distances (i.e., growth across the suture) after 8 postoperative months. In 20 infants with calvarial deformities, thin, straight resorbable plates were used for skeletal fixation after osteotomies and repositioning. A total of 231 fixation devices were implanted without complications after 12 postoperative months. These encouraging results have led to further clinical application in craniosynostosis deformities.
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Eppley et al. (1995) studied this question.