# Treatment of Pediatric Displaced Intraarticular Olecranon Fractures with Resorbable Poly-L-Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA) Pins and Polydioxanone (PDS) Loops

## TL;DR

This study shows that biodegradable pins and loops can successfully treat pediatric elbow fractures without needing a second surgery.

## Contribution

The study introduces biodegradable PLGA pins and PDS loops as a novel alternative to metal hardware for pediatric displaced intraarticular olecranon fractures.

## Key findings

- All three patients achieved complete radiological healing with excellent functional recovery.
- No implant-related complications were observed at one-year follow-up.
- Biodegradable implants eliminated the need for a second surgery to remove hardware.

## Abstract

Background: Pediatric olecranon fractures, though rare, can be serious. Treatment varies by type and severity; displaced, intraarticular fractures usually need surgery, where biodegradable implants are emerging as an encouraging option to metal hardware. Methods: Our prospective, single-center, single-arm case series evaluates three pediatric olecranon fracture patients treated by resorbable poly-L-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) pins and polydioxanone (PDS) loops between Jan 2022 and January 2023 at the Department of Pediatrics, University of Pécs, Clinical Complex. Results: All patients achieved complete radiological healing with excellent functional recovery and no implant-related complications at one-year follow-up. Conclusions: Resorbable PLGA pins and PDS loops provide a promising alternative to conventional metallic fixation in pediatric olecranon fractures, abolishing the need for a second implant-removal surgery while maintaining stability and biocompatibility. Our findings support the child-friendly nature and growing role of biodegradable materials in pediatric fracture management.