Comparison of absorbable self-reinforced multilayer poly-l-lactide and metallic plates for the fixation of mandibular body osteotomies: an experimental study in sheep.

Eighteen unfavorable transverse osteotomies were created in the mandibular body of sheep. Nine were fixed with self-reinforced poly-l-lactide and nine with metallic dynamic compression plates. Both plates were fixed with similar titanium screws. The follow-up times for radiographic, histologic, and microradiographic studies were 6, 12, and 24 weeks. With both methods, bony union with callus formation was accomplished by 6 weeks in all but one osteotomy in the metallic fixation group. There were no signs of plate failure.