Preliminary assessment of skeletal stability after sagittal split mandibular advancement using a bioresorbable fixation system

We studied skeletal stability during the first year after mandibular advancement and fixation with bioresorbable self-reinforced poly--lactide (SR-PLLA) screws in 11 patients by cephalometric measurements. We compared these with a cohort of 11 patients, in whom titanium screws were used for fixation. We found no significant difference between the two groups in the median preoperative cephalometric values and the median changes after operation. There was also no significant difference between the two groups regarding the median extent of relapse 1-year after operation. We conclude that bioresorbable SR-PLLA screws are comparable to metallic screws for fixation of bone after sagittal split mandibular advancement