Reasons for miniplate removal following maxillofacial trauma: a 4-year study.
BACKGROUND
There is still no consensus on the need for routine removal of titanium miniplates in the maxillofacial skeleton. The purpose of this 4-year prospective study was to evaluate the reasons for removal of titanium miniplates ("2.0mm") following maxillofacial trauma.


METHODS
Records of 280 patients were evaluated concerning the number of plates inserted, the site of plating, the number of patients in whom plates were removed, the site of removal and the reasons for which removal of plates was indicated.


RESULTS
In the 280 patients with facial trauma, 599 miniplates were used during this period. Thirty-seven miniplates were removed from 27 of these patients. The main causes for removal were infection and exposure of the plate in the oral cavity, patients' request and/or the plates being palpable. The nasofrontal region, the area around the anterior wall of the antrum and the body of the mandible proved to be the commonest regions where plate removal was required.


CONCLUSIONS
The number of miniplates removed was small but not insignificant. There is no evidence from this study to support advice for the routine removal of titanium miniplates from the maxillofacial skeleton.
Rallis
George
G
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, General Hospital of Attica "KAT", Athens, Greece. rallis@hol.gr
Mourouzis
Constantinos
C
Papakosta
Veronika
V
Papanastasiou
George
G
Zachariades
Nicholas
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000009:adverse effects; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000601:surgery; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors