Cranioplasty using an internal absorbable distraction device

2006 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 16591798
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Plastic surgery
• Research Institution: Juntendo University
• Principal Investigator: KOMURO Yuzo JUNTENDO UNIVERSITY, School of Medicine, Assistant professor, 医学部, 助教授 (90306928)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): IMAZAWA Takashi JUNTENDO UNIVERSITY, School of Medicine, Staff surgeon, 医学部, 助手 (90296872) ; HASHIZUME Katsumichi JUNTENDO UNIVERSITY, School of Medicine, Staff surgeon, 医学部, 助手 (90365643)
• Project Period (FY): 2004 – 2006
• Keywords: gradual distraction method / distraction device / poly lactic acid / biodegradable / skull bone / rabbit

Research Abstract

For years, cranoiplasty using distraction osteogenesis has been used for patients with craniosynostosis. One of the current disadvantage of this technique is the necessity of a second operation to remove devices. For the purpose of performing this technique without a second operation, we performed cranial advancement by distraction using an absorbable distraction device in rabbits.
Osteotomy was performed in the parietal region and an absorbable distraction device was placed in the parietal region. An absorbable distraction device was manufactured from polylactic acid. Distraction was initiated 5 days postoperatively. The width of distraction was 0.5mm per day. Distraction was continued until the total width was up to 10mm. The effect of distraction was assessed on roentgen-film.
Cranial bone was successfully distracted.
Polylactic acid is a biodegradable material used for bone fixation implants. The main disadvantage of an internal absorbable distraction device is its lower intensity compared with metallic components. In our experiments, it has been proven that an absorbable device is fit for the distraction of cranial bone.