[Fronto-malar osteosynthesis by means of screwed plates]

The external orbital apophysis provides a zone of solid anchorage for the treatment of fractures as well as for the immobilization of osseous fragments after facial osteotomy. While proposing new miniaturized material the authors present 45 cases of fronto-malar osteosynthesis carried out in one year. They recall that solid immobilization by plating avoids inter-maxillary blockage, and is the only means of restraint among those presently used which is capable of opposing late post-operative recession. Consequently after facial osteotomy, the plates are left in place for 12 months. They are removed under local anethesia.