Delayed Foreign Body Reaction around the Absorbable Implants in Facial Bone Fracture: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Absorbable implants are frequently used to fix facial bone fractures, because they are radiolucent and compatible with magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). Despite their increasing usage, however, there have been few reports about their long-term side-effects. In this paper, a case in which absorbable implants led to a foreign body reaction 17 months after their insertion is presented. METHODS: A previously healthy 19-year-old male fell from a flight of stairs and visited the authors' hospital with right periorbital pain. Zygomaticomaxillary fracture involving right orbital floor was detected via a facial bone computed tomography(CT). Internal fixation with absorbable implants was followed by open reduction. 17 months after the surgery, the patient complained of localized periorbital swelling. Removal of the granulomatous lesion including the absorbable implants along with their biopsy and culture was performed. RESULTS: The granulomatous lesion around the implants was firm and extended into the maxillary sinus. The histologic finding showed a microabscess with a foreign body reaction. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus growth was confirmed in the culture. No definite abnormal symptoms ensued after the complete removal. CONCLUSION: A microabscess-forming granulomatous lesion around the absorbable implant can cause delayed symptomatic foreign body reaction despite its rare occurrence. Complete removal of the lesion including implants is expected to have a successful outcome if it is encountered.