Abstract
Objective: Determine if the KLS Martin Sonic Weld system provides plate-screw construct stability in human skulls even when placed at acute angles at the midface buttresses. The strength of the construct will be compared with absorbable miniplates with screws placed at 90-degree angles.
Method: Ten skulls will be prepared by creating midface osteotomies bilaterally. All screws will be placed at 90 degrees on the control side. The contralateral side will be plated with the absorbable system at more acute angles. The data will be compared as matched pairs within each specimen and statistically analyzed.
Results: Fractures fixated with the ultrasonic absorbable plating system placed with screws at all tested angles will fail at similar to our control plates placed at 90 degrees. This will allow the surgeon to successfully reduce fractures in the midface fragments in difficult to reach areas and possibly cut down on operative time and improve the chance of achieving a long lasting adequate reduction.
Conclusion: There is no difference in the strength of the plate-screw construct using the ultrasonic plate-pin system between pins placed at the conventional 90° or at more acute angles. This is likely a function of the design of the plating system.
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