Plates and screws removal after sagital split osteotomy

In contemporary orthognatic surgery, osteotomy and rigid internal fixation procedures are commonly used to restore stability and function of the jaws, and to obtain comfort for patients. Although there are many good reasons for utilization of this type of fixation, in some patients the need to remove plates and screws after surgery may arise due to related complications. The present study investigated plate removal after sagital split osteotomy and its reasons. In this prospective study, 67 patients in need of sagital spilt osteotomy or bimaxillary osteotomy were selected from two university departments during the period of 2005 to 2007. All patients were followed up for 14 month after surgery and number of plates removed was recorded. In addition, information regarding age, sex, duration of operation, medical condition, splitting during surgery, smoking habits, and need to extract wisdom teeth at the time of surgery were gathered. The data were analyzed using a linear logistic regression model with the SPSS software version 12. Infection was the sole reason for plate removal in this study. From 134 plates used in 67 patients 14 plates (10.5%) were removed in 10 patients. Age was the only statistically significant factor to affect plate removal and the effect of other factors were not statistically significant. According to the findings of this study only a few patients needed plate removal. Routine removal of plate does not appear to be clinically indicated.