title: Critical review of microfixation in pediatric craniofacial surgery.
abstract: The migration or passive intracranial translocation of microplates and screws in the pediatric craniofacial patient has been reported. A retrospective review was undertaken to clarify the incidence of microplate translocation and identify potential clinical implications. Computed tomographic imaging demonstrated internalization of microfixation in 14 of 27 pediatric patients. Statistically significant factors for microplate translocation include longer plates (p < 0.05) and those placed in the temporal region (p < 0.001). Younger patients and those with syndromic craniofacial dysostosis also had a higher incidence of translocation. Specific complications relating to the translocation of microplates were not found in any patient. The direct effects of translocated microplates and screws on the underlying brain and dura remain unclear.
authors.affiliation: Edwin and Fannie Gray Hall Center for Human Appearance, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bartlett
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Whitaker
mesh_terms: D001860:Bone Plates / Q000009:adverse effects; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000601:surgery*; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012886:Skull / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed