Ultrasound aided pin fixation of biodegradable osteosynthetic materials in cranioplasty for infants with craniosynostosis.

AIM: Biodegradable osteosynthesis materials are often used for fixation of bone fragments when repairing craniosynostoses. When compared with titanium plates they have the disadvantage of difficult handling and time-consuming thread cutting. A new method of using resorbable pins inserted with the aid of ultrasound (bone welding) and not requiring thread cutting was applied in patients for the first time.
METHOD: In eight patients with craniosynostoses, the biodegradable material Resorb-X was fixed with resorbable pins inserted with the aid of ultrasound. The patients were followed up for 12 months.
RESULTS: Pin fixation was stable in all cases. The time required for applying the osteosynthesis materials was reduced by about 50% since handling of the material was easier and no thread cutting was required.
CONCLUSIONS: Due to fixation in cortical as well as cancellous bone ultrasound aided fixation using resorbable osteosynthesis materials is more stable than screw fixation. The time required for application is considerably shortened as no thread cutting is required.