# Biodegradable (PLGA) Implants in Pediatric Trauma: A Brief Review

## TL;DR

Biodegradable PLGA implants offer a safe alternative to metal hardware in pediatric fractures, reducing the need for additional surgeries and surgical risks.

## Contribution

The paper reviews clinical evidence showing PLGA implants provide stable fixation and predictable degradation in pediatric trauma cases.

## Key findings

- PLGA implants show high union rates and minimal complications in pediatric fractures.
- Use of PLGA eliminates the need for hardware removal surgeries, reducing healthcare costs and surgical burden.

## Abstract

What are the main findings?

Biodegradable PLGA implants provide stable fixation and predictable degradation in pediatric fractures, offering outcomes comparable to metal hardware.

Clinical studies in forearm, distal radius, ankle, and elbow fractures show high union rates, minimal complications, and elimination of hardware removal procedures.

What are the implications of the main findings?

PLGA implants can safely replace traditional metal fixation in selected pediatric fractures, reducing surgical burden and healthcare costs.

Continued material innovation and long-term clinical studies will expand their applicability to more load-bearing and complex injuries.

Background/Objectives: Biodegradable implants have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional metallic fixation devices in pediatric orthopedic surgery. Avoiding implant removal is especially advantageous in children, who would otherwise require a second operation with additional anesthetic and surgical risks. This study reviews the current use of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) implants in pediatric fracture fixation and evaluates how they address limitations associated with traditional hardware. Methods: A narrative review was conducted summarizing current evidence, clinical experience, and case examples involving PLGA-based devices used in pediatric trauma. Special emphasis was placed on the degradation mechanism of PLGA, its controlled hydrolysis profile, and the capacity of the material to provide temporary mechanical stability during bone healing before complete resorption. The review included studies of PLGA use in forearm, distal radius, ankle, and elbow fractures, comparing outcomes to those obtained with metallic implants. Results: Across multiple clinical reports and case series, PLGA implants demonstrated effective fracture healing, stable fixation, and complication rates comparable to traditional metallic devices. Patients treated with resorbable implants benefited from reduced postoperative morbidity, no requirement for implant removal, and improved imaging compatibility. Conclusions: PLGA-based bioabsorbable implants represent a safe and effective alternative to conventional metal fixation in children. Their favorable degradation kinetics and clinical performance support their growing use in pediatric trauma surgery, while ongoing advances in polymer design and bioresorbable alloys continue to expand future applications.