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Hardware Removal in Maxillofacial Trauma: A Retrospective Study.
Chithra Aramanadka1, Abhay T Kamath2, G Srikanth1
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
Thescientificworldjournal
|July 14, 2021
Summary
Routine removal of titanium miniplates is recommended for children to prevent growth disturbances after maxillofacial fracture fixation. In adults, hardware removal is only advised if symptomatic, as infection is the primary reason for removal.
Area of Science:
- Maxillofacial Surgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Miniplates are standard for maxillofacial fracture fixation.
- Hardware removal post-fixation remains a debated topic in clinical practice.
- Understanding reasons for miniplate removal is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the indications and reasons for miniplate removal after maxillofacial fracture treatment.
- To analyze the types of miniplates (stainless steel vs. titanium) and their removal rates.
- To identify factors influencing hardware removal, such as infection, hardware failure, and patient demographics.
Main Methods:
- A 10-year retrospective analysis of medical records.
- Inclusion of 1472 patients who underwent internal fixation for facial fractures.
- Assessment of demographics, fracture characteristics, miniplate type, and reasons for removal.
Main Results:
- Infection/osteomyelitis was the most common cause for hardware removal.
- Mandibular fractures showed the highest incidence of hardware failure.
- Males constituted 78.6% of patients requiring hardware removal.
Conclusions:
- Routine removal of titanium miniplates is advisable in pediatric patients to prevent maxillofacial growth disturbances.
- Hardware removal in adult patients should be reserved for symptomatic cases, not as a routine procedure.
- Infection is a significant driver for miniplate removal across both pediatric and adult populations.
