Routine removal of the plate after surgical treatment for mandibular angle fracture with a third molar in relation to the fracture line

The Implications of Titanium Alloys Applied in Maxillofacial Osteosynthesis

Titanium alloys are known for their biological, mechanical and chemical properties, which have successfully expanded their use in the maxillofacial field. The internal fixation using titanium miniplates and screws offer a new perspective for the treatment of trauma and in orthognathic surgery and maxillofacial oncology. Although, titanium is highly recommended for its excellent biocompatibility, recent research has focused on identifying the potential local and general implications of the interactions between the human tissue and the metallic particles. This present review aims to outline the existing tissue changes, cellular alterations and future perspectives regarding the use of titanium-based alloys as osteosynthesis materials, taking into consideration the existing present debate whether the routinely removal of these materials should be an indication.

Is Mini-Plate Removal Necessary for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Patients? A Five-Year Case-Control Study

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to determine the mini-plate and screw removal rate and reasons in maxillofacial surgery patients under previous semi-rigid fixation treatment in the past five years at the main trauma center of Mashhad.

Materials and Methods:

This was a census-based retrospective study. All the candidates who admitted to our department for maxillofacial plate removal due to symptomatic or infected mini-plates were included in this study. The patients’ age and gender, plate removal etiologies, and the time between plate insertion and removal were analyzed.

Results:

Mini-plates were inserted for 1026 patients. However, only 94 patients with a mean age of 29.4±11.1 years were candidates for plate removal. The plate removal rate was 9.16%. Infection and exposure were the most common causes of plate removal. The most prevalent removal site was the mandible (angle and body). The interval between mini-plate insertion and removal was an average of 12.9±5.6 months. It is noteworthy that the shortest lasting duration was when plate removal was secondary to pain (6.67 months) and infection (11.45 months).

Conclusion:

This research showed that the routine removal of plates does not appear to be generally indicated in healthy subjects unless there is an obvious and definitive clinical indication.

Miniplate removal in operated cases of maxillofacial region in a dental institute in Rajasthan, India

Background

The long term management of miniplate fixation osteosynthesis remains debatable and controversial with few authors advocating routine removal of the miniplates after 3–6 months of placement, while others recommend retention of the miniplates unless their removal is clinically indicated.

Objective

The aim was to study the incidence, indications, time gap, role of metallic composition and site of removal of miniplates in operated cases of maxillofacial region over a two-year period.

Methods

Patients undergoing removal of miniplates over 2-year period were studied and evaluated regarding the number of miniplates removed, time gap present between fixation and removal of miniplates, indications for removal, metallic composition of miniplates removed, sites of removal and complications. Correlations between indications for miniplate removal based upon time gap, metallic composition, age group and number of miniplates present were determined using Chi-square test. Correlation between metallic composition of miniplate and time gap was also determined using Chi-square test.

Results

The miniplates were removed in 20 patients (16 males and 4 females). Most common indication for removal was infection (45%). Forty-five percent of the patients underwent miniplate removal within 1 year of placement. Thirty-four miniplates and 118 screws were removed. The correlation between indications for miniplate removal and time gap was found to be statistically significant (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Most of the hardware removal is performed subsequent to complications associated with hardware and local factors play more important role than metallic composition. Routine asymptomatic miniplates do not require removal and is not recommended.