Principles of development and use of absorbable internal fixation

Absorbable internal fixation implants, by virtue of their temporary in situ residence and variable load sharing with the healing tissues, have the potential to yield a clinical outcome that approaches the native state. Despite the growing availability and acceptance of absorbable fixation, however, many surgeons continue to rely upon metal fixation for their patients, due, in part, to unfamiliarity with the technology. Although many of the principles of metallic internal fixation also apply to absorbable internal fixation, significant differences exist as well. This paper presents basic background in absorbable technology and proposes a set of principles that may help govern the development and use of absorbable fixation devices in clinical practice.