Bioabsorbable Magnesium-Based Materials Potential and Safety in Bone Surgery: A Systematic Review.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes, safety, and clinical applications of bioabsorbable magnesium-based materials for fixation in bone surgeries. The review was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. An initial search was performed on electronic databases, followed by manual and reference searches. The articles selected were evaluated for patient characteristics, biocompatibility, the need for revision surgery, bone union rates, and the incidence of gas formation associated with implant degradation. Out of the 631 initially identified articles, 8 studies including a total of 386 patients were included in the final qualitative analysis. The magnesium (Mg) group carried a lower rate of revision surgery (1/275) when compared to the titanium (Ti) group (18/111). A high rate of bone union was found in the Mg group and a low infection rate (3/275) was found in the Mg group. The serum level of Mg and calcium (Ca) were not found to be affected. Mg implants are applied in various orthopedic surgeries but they are not applied in in oral or maxillofacial surgeries. Mg implants appear to be a safe alternative for bone fixation and are resorbable. Future research into the application of Mg implants in bone fixation in different anatomical sites is essential to fully harness their potential benefits for patients.