An experimental in vivo analysis of the resorption to ultrasound activated pins (Sonic weld®) and standard biodegradable screws (ResorbX®) in sheep

Pilling, E.; Mai, R.; Theissig, F.; Stadlinger, B.; Loukota, R.; Eckelt, U.

doi:10.1016/j.bjoms.2006.12.002

« Previous Next »British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume 45, Issue 6 , Pages 447-450, September 2007

An experimental in vivo analysis of the resorption to ultrasound activated pins (Sonic weld^®) and standard biodegradable screws (ResorbX^®) in sheep

E. Pilling
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Technology Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
R. Mai
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Technology Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
F. Theissig
- Institut für Pathologie, Humaine Klinikum. Bad Saarow, Germany
B. Stadlinger
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Technology Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
R. Loukota
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds LS2 9LU, UK
- Corresponding author at: Leeds Dental Institute, Clarendon Way, Leeds LS2 9LU, UK. Tel.: +44 113 343 6219; fax: +44 113 343 6264.
U. Eckelt
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Technology Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany

Accepted 4 December 2006. published online 12 January 2007.

Abstract

We compared the healing and reaction in the mandibles of 11 sheep of a conventional bioresorbable screw osteosynthesis with the newly developed ultrasound-activated pin osteosynthesis. The thermal stress caused by insertion of the ultrasound-aided pins leads to no cellular reaction around the pin. There is neither clinical nor histological evidence of any initial inflammation that could have been induced by the insertion.

Adequate attachment of fibrous tissue to the pin head and the absence of any inflammation are important preconditions for the introduction of this new method of osteosynthesis into clinical practice.

Further advantageous characteristics are easy intraoperative handling and a reduction in operating time, because cutting the thread is not required. There must be sufficient interlinkage of the polymer and the trabecular structures to ensure stability.

Keywords: Bone welding, Resorbable pin, Screw, SonicWeld