Before revision: A much less common alternative is the use of a resorbable fixation device, composed of a bio-resorbable material ; for example, this could be a polymer capable of being degraded into acidic products, and thus in need of including a buffering agent to avoid acid damage (which may damage the bone adjacent to the device) .
After revision: A less common alternative is the use of a resorbable fixation device, composed of a bio-resorbable material .