The effects of small plate osteosynthesis on postoperative radiotherapy

Small plate osteosynthesis is becoming increasingly popular in reconstruction following ablative surgery for oral malignancies. In those cases where postoperative radiotherapy is to be included in the treatment it has been suggested that these plates may cause problems such as dose enhancement and tumour shielding and should therefore be removed prior to the radiotherapy. A physical method is described to assess the anticipated radiation dose changes at the tissue/plate interface both behind and in front of the plate. As a result of this assessment certain recommendations are made.