WOFAPS 2025 8th World Congress of Pediatric Surgery

Gergo Jozsa ¹, Zoltan Toth ¹, Tibor Molnar ¹, Anna Lamberti ¹, Hermann Nudelman ¹, Aba Lorincz ², Eszter Antal ², Tamas Kassai ³

¹ Department of Paediatrics, Division of Paediatric Surgery, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
² Department of Paediatrics, Intensive Care Unit, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
³ Department of Pediatric Traumatology, Péterfy Hospital, Manninger Jenő National Trauma Center

Pediatric olecranon fractures, which involve a break in the bony prominence of the elbow, are relatively rare but can be serious. Treatment options typically depend on the type and severity of the fracture. Displaced, intraarticular fractures require surgical intervention, where resorbable implants are becoming a promising alternative to traditional 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. Conclusion: 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.