Radioopacity of Absorbable Plate containing Hydroxyapatite and Gold(Au); A Preliminary Report

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Absorbable bone fixation materials for operation of facial bone fracture are composed of poly- lactic acid(PLA) & poly-glycolic acid(PGA). These materials are absorbed after facial bone healing period. Therefore, these materials are harmless in human body. But because of it's radioopacity, the number and the location of the materials are not checked in follow-up X-ray examination. We studied absorbable bone fixation materials checked radiological examination. So, we made the absorbable plate composed of PLA, Hydroxyapatite (HA) and Gold(Au). METHODS: Plate 1 was consisted of pure PLA. Plate 2 was consisted of PLA(50%) and HA(50%). Plate 3-7 were consisted of PLA(50%), and variable composition of HA & Au. The ratio of Au was as following. From the plate 3 to plate 7, the Au ratio was 1%, 5%, 10%, 17%, and 25%, respectively. Total 3 examinations were used -naked eye examination, simple X-ray examination, and Haunsfield unit of plate in CT examination. RESULTS: Naked eye examination found out that the color of plate 1 was most white. As the Au ratio increases, the color of plate was getting close to khaki color. the radioopacity of plate 2 was similar cortical bone of face in simple X-ray. The Haunsfield unit of cortical bone of face was 1000 HU. Haunsfield unit of titanium plate was 2900 HU. Haunsfield unit of plate 1 through plate 7 were -242, 1489, 1776, 3052, 3092, 3095, and 3095, respectively. CONCLUSION: Radioopacity of plate 2 was similar to cortical bone of face. In CT examination, Hanusfield unit of plate 2 was similar to Hanusfield unit of cortical bone of face. Hanusfield unit of plate 4-7 were similar to Hanusfield unit of titanium plate. So to trace bone fixation materials after facial bone surgery, the best ratio of Au is about 1-5%. If this study is applied to facial bone surgery, radiologic follow up would be easy after facial bone surgery.