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Identification of resorbable plate for long term soft tissue molding.
Davood Varghai MD., Arun Gosain MD.
Post Doc. Research scholar
Plastic Surgery Division
University Hospitals/CWRU
Post-doctoral Fell
2010-04-01
Presenter: Davood Varghai
Affidavit:
Director Name:
Author Category: Resident/Fellow
Presentation Category: Basic Science Research
Abstract Category: General Reconstruction
Purpose: Previous clinical use of resorbable plates has largely been for bone repair. In this setting resorbable plates do not need to retain an out-of-plane shape since their shape is held by the underlying bone. However, in soft tissue repair there is no support for an out-of-plane bend in the plate. This study evaluates the load-bearing properties of resorbable plates in which an out-of-plane bend has been created.
Methods: Eight varieties of commercially available resorbable plates were folded at a right angle. The folded plates were placed under an 80 gram load which was applied from the apex of the right angle. The plates were kept in a water-bath at body temperature. Angle height (distance from base of plate to angel apex) was measured successively over two weeks. Each plate was tested three successive times recreating a right angle for each test.
Results: All plates demonstrated a progressive decrease in angle height throughout the course of the study. Decrease in angle height occurred at a shorter interval in subsequent water-bath from tests one though three. Angle height was retained for a longer period in plates of increasing thickness.
Conclusions: Out-of-plane bending of resorbable plates is not well retained at body temperature. This has a significant implication to the application of resorbable plates in shaping soft tissue. Plate thickness and manufacture are variables that impacted retention of an out-of-plane bend in resorbable plates when loaded at body temperature.
