Absorbable polyglycolide and polylactide devices for fracture fixation.

The use of absorbable internal fracture fixation devices instead of conventional metallic ones abolishes the need for subsequent implant removal procedures. Absorbable fracture fixation devices have been increasingly used during the past decade. Approximately 150,000 patients in many countries have already been treated with such implants. The vast majority of the clinically used biodegradable devices are made of polyglycolide (PGA) or polylactide (PLA). The polylactide osteosynthesis devices in clinical use today usually consist of polylevolactide (PLLA). During the past decade, the assortment of implants for fracture fixation purposes has become broader and now includes many different kind of devices.