Policy of routine titanium miniplate removal after maxillofacial trauma.
OBJECTIVE
The literature shows that hardware removal rates after the fixation of maxillofacial fractures with miniplates are not insignificant. The aim of the present survey was to clarify the policies of Finnish oral and maxillofacial consultants for the removal of titanium miniplates after the treatment of facial fractures in adults. Additional aims were to clarify the factors influencing plate removal policy in general, and the reasons for routine plate removal in particular.


METHODS
Twenty-six consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeons responded to a questionnaire about miniplate removal policy after treating 5 types of simple, noncomminuted fractures.


RESULTS
Overall, routine plate removal was uncommon. However, 12 consultants (46.2%) routinely removed the plate after treating mandibular angle fractures, and simultaneously extracted the third molar because of an increased risk of infection. Most respondents (88.5%) stated that clinical experience guided their plate-removal policy. A policy of routine plate removal was most infrequent among the consultants who had the most experience.


CONCLUSIONS
The literature provides no definitive answer to the question of whether routine removal of miniplates could or should be indicated, and in what situations. Considering the fairly significant frequency of plate-related complications in general and infection-related complications in particular, long-term follow-up after treatment is indicated.
Thorén
Hanna
H
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. hanna.thoren@helsinki.fi
Snäll
Johanna
J
Hallermann
Wock
W
Kormi
Eeva
E
Törnwall
Jyrki
J
D001860:Bone Plates; D020878:Device Removal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005387:Finland; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D008440:Maxillary Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015051:Zygomatic Fractures / Q000601:surgery