Clinical Significance of Metallic Plate Implant Removal After Orthognathic Surgery: A Scoping Review

This scoping review examines the literature on the prevalence and clinical importance of miniplate removal following orthognathic (jaw) surgery. A scoping review of qualitative and quantitative literature was conducted following the framework of Arksey and O'Malley, later updated by Levac et al. A literature search was carried out using 4 electronic databases. Articles were screened by title and abstract, and inclusion and exclusion criteria. Potential papers were considered for full-text reading and excluded if the articles did not meet the inclusion criteria. Twenty-five papers were included in the final review. The total number of patients included in the 25 studies was 5434 patients for orthognathic surgeries, of which 2198 were operated on for plate removal. The overall complications associated with orthognathic surgery, leading to plate removal, were high. The average time of removal was 3 months, with the longest duration being 10 years. The findings imply that the removal of miniplates could be helpful for patients, as it can reduce long-term complications. The mandible was the most common site for plate removal. The most common reasons for plate removal were infection, pain, and patient demand. This scoping review highlights the importance of miniplate removal in cases with diverse complications and young individuals. To gain insight into the importance of plate removal and improve its clinical prevalence, further studies with larger sample sizes, excellent methodological qualities, and standardized outcomes are required.