Background:

SonicWeld Rx® is a novel internal fixation system that relies on ultrasonic waves for pin fixation coupled with reabsorbable plates into the tissue. The heat generated by these sonic waves will thermoplastize the pin, and with friction with the bone upon pin placement, it will melt and flow into the trabecular spaces of the adjacent bone, followed by welding of the pin with the plate, forming one functional unit. This system allows less operation time and fewer screw-related complications, such as screw fractures, along with the advantage of being resorbable.

Aim:

To evaluate the efficacy of the SonicWeld Rx® system as a treatment modality of internal fixation for facial fractures.

Patients and methods:

Twenty patients enrolled in this study were subjected to open reduction and internal fixation via the SonicWeld Rx® system as a treatment modality for facial fractures. Pinhole ossification, fracture reduction, plate application time and patient satisfaction were studied postoperatively.

Results:

All patients were males with ages ranging from 8-41 years and a mean of 23.45 years with a standard deviation (SD) of ± 9.65. Concerning the surgical approach, 10 patients were managed via an extraoral approach and 3 through an intraoral approach, while the remaining 7 patients were managed by combined approaches. With respect to pinhole ossification and reduction adequacy, 19 patients experienced full-hole ossification and adequate reduction, and those patients were completely satisfied with the final outcome of treatment. Regarding plate application time, there was a significant reduction in the plate application time when compared with the conventional screw-plate resorbable system.

Conclusion:

The SonicWeld Rx® resorbable plating system showed favorable treatment outcomes regarding fracture reduction adequacy, pinhole ossification and patient satisfaction, with a noticeable reduction in plate application time.

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