title: Removal of miniplates in maxillofacial surgery: a follow-up study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to follow-up a cohort of patients who had miniplates (plates) inserted in the oral and maxillofacial region during a 13-month period over 4 years to study the incidence and factors associated with plate removal.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fifty-three patients had plates inserted in the oral and maxillofacial region in the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Birmingham, UK, between November 1, 1998, and November 30, 1999. All 153 patients' records were revisited on or after October 31, 2002, giving a minimum follow-up of 3 years and a maximum of 4 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During a period of 13 months (November 1, 1998 through November 30, 1999), 308 plates were inserted into 153 patients. A total of 32 plates were removed from 21 patients by October 31, 2002, (10.4%) over 4 years; 27 plates were removed from 16 patients for purely plate-related symptoms, with infection being the most common cause accounting for 16 plates (50%) in 9 patients. Symptoms necessitating plate removal occurred within 52 weeks after insertion in 16 patients, accounting for 23 of the plates removed (72%). The age of the patient at plate insertion may have some influence on plate removal but this was not significant. Seniority of the operator did not affect plate removal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our experience with the removal of miniplates compares with previously published reports. Longitudinal follow-up at 4 years indicates that plate-related problems leading to removal are likely to occur in the first year after insertion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Birmingham, UK. vyomeshb@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Vyomesh
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bhatt
authors.forename: Purnima
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chhabra
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Dover
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020878:Device Removal; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D008341:Mandibular Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D016019:Survival Analysis