Resorbable poly(D,L)lactide plates and screws for osteosynthesis of condylar neck fractures in sheep.

We made osteotomies in the condylar neck in 12 adult sheep to simulate fractures, and joined the two ends with 2 poly(D,L)lactide (PDLLA) plates and 8 PDLLA screws 2mm in diameter. The animals were killed after 2, 6, and 12 months and bony healing was assessed macroscopically and histologically. The plates and screws remained intact and there was no displacement of the bony ends. The degrading plates, which were still visible in the specimens after 6 months, had been replaced by bone. At 12 months the PDLLA had been resorbed with no foreign body reaction and no resorption of underlying bone. The articular discs showed no signs of degeneration.