A late foreign body reaction to a bioabsorbable poly-Llactic acid (PLLA) plate for use in orthognathic surgery is reported.
A 26-year-old female was referred to our hospital in 2001 because of mandibular prognathism. Sagittal split ramus osteotomy was carried out with the use of PLLA mini-plates and screws. The postoperative course was unremarkable, and bone healing was satisfactory. In 2003, 19 months after the operation, the patient had a swelling in the right cheek region. There was no discharge of pus. Curettage was immediately performed, and some fragments of the PLLA mini-plates and screws were removed. We diagnosed this case as a late foreign body reaction to a bioabsorbable mini-plate.
