Experimental study on segmental stability of mandibular osteotomy : Bioresorbable mesh versus titanium osteosynthesis

Abstract

We compared the segmental stability of hydroxyapatite (HA)/poly-L-lactide (PLLA) mesh for the osteofixation of mandibular osteotomy to that of titanium osteofixation. A mandibular discontinuity was created in ten rabbits, whereby either a HA/PLLA mesh or a titanium miniplate was used for osteofixation. Postoperatively, the amount of daily feed intake was measured and radiographic images were captured. At sacrifice, occlusion was checked and histologic evaluations were performed with H&E and Masson’s trichrome staining. From the results, the HA/PLLA mesh-fixation group showed a higher daily feed intake compared to that in the titanium-fixation group. At sacrifice, occlusion was more stable in the HA/PLLA mesh-fixation group. Histologically, fibrous union was detected in the titanium-fixation group. In conclusion, HA/PLLA mesh-osteofixation demonstrated superior to titanium-osteofixation.