[Use of titanium osteosynthesis in maxillofacial traumatology and orthognathic surgery]

This paper reviews the clinical use of titanium miniplate osteosynthesis in maxillofacial traumatology and orthognathic surgery. These materials were originally developed for treatment of mandibular fractures, but the application has within recent years been extended to other fractures of the facial skeleton and orthognathic surgery. The osteosynthesis increase stability in many situations, and may reduce or eliminate the need for post-operative intermaxillary fixation, by which morbidity, hospitalization period and period of sick-leave can be reduced. In orthognathic surgery, the stability of the miniplate osteosynthesis increase the demand for precision during surgery as compared to conventional fixation with wire osteosynthesis and intermaxillary fixation. Further refinements of the technique are, however, necessary in the future, as the current techniques does not always allow a sufficient reproduction of the position of the condylar segment.