Purpose: This study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes between bioabsorbable and metal screw fixation for distal tibial physeal fracture in children and adolescents, radiographically and clinically.
Methods: This study included consecutive 67 children and adolescents who underwent open reduction and internal fixation using metal or bioabsorbable screws for the distal tibia physeal fracture. All patients underwent preoperative radiographs, three-dimensional computed tomography scans, and postoperative follow-up teleradiogram. Patients were divided into metal (N = 40) and bioabsorbable groups (N = 27). We compared the surgical outcomes between the two groups in terms of clinical and radiographic outcomes, length of hospital stays, and medical cost.
Results: Follow-up duration were significantly longer in the metal group than that in the bioabsorbable group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of growth arrest after surgery and the scores of the Oxford Ankle and Foot Questionnaire between the two groups. However, the total hospital stay was significantly longer in the metal group (5.2 ± 4.8 days) compared to the bioabsorbable group (2.6 ± 0.5 days). Medical costs were significantly higher in the bioabsorbable group than in the metal group with a difference of 397 US dollars.
Conclusions: The use of bioabsorbable screws exhibited therapeutic effects equivalent to that of metal screws for pediatric distal tibia physeal fractures regarding clinical and radiological outcomes. Moreover, it had the advantage of avoiding the need for repeated general anesthesia and secondary operation for implant removal. Therefore, the use of bioabsorbable screws may be a favourable surgical option for treating pediatric fractures.
Keywords: Bioabsorbable screw; Distal tibia; Medical cost; Metal screw; Physeal fracture.
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