Frequency and Reasons for the Removal of Stainless Steel Plates in Maxillofacial Trauma

This study was a retrospective chart review of the cases operated for maxillofacial trauma with plate osteosynthesis in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit of Khyber College of Dentistry Peshawar, Pakistan, and was designed to evaluate the frequency and various reasons for the removal of the stainless steel plates in maxillofacial trauma patients. It was conducted on patients who were treated with internal fixation using 2.0-mm stainless steel plates and screws. All data were obtained from the operation theater computer and operative ward charts. The variables evaluated were Age, Gender, and Site from where the plate has been removed and the cause of its removal. A total of 998 patients with maxillofacial trauma reported during the years 2006 and 2007 in this Unit. A total of 254 plates were used in the two year study period to fix various maxillofacial fractures. Types of fixations used were 2.0-mm stainless steel plates and screws. Majority of the patients were young i.e., below 40 years. Male to female ratio of the patients was 3.5:1. Out of the 254, 27 plates (10.63%) had to be removed. Mandibular body was the most common site followed by frontozygomatic suture from where the plates were removed. Infection was the most common cause of plate removal. Other reasons for the plate removal were infections and discharging sinus, plate fracture, parasthesia, pain, planned removal in children patients younger than 10 years and for psychological reasons. A few of the patients developed complications of plate osteosynthesis.