Removal of bone plates in patients with maxillofacial trauma: a retrospective study

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the incidence of and indication for the removal of bone plates over a 5-year period in patients with maxillofacial trauma who had received treatment at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Al-Nahda Hospital, Muscat, Oman. Study design: The medical records of all patients who underwent removal of bone plates after facial bone trauma were reviewed over a 5-year period (2000 to 2004). Data concerning age and gender distribution, cause of trauma, year of removal, time between insertion and removal, indication for removal, site of removal, and general medical factors were evaluated for each patient. Results: Facial bone fractures in 1,177 cases were diagnosed during the study period, of which 465 cases underwent open reduction and internal fixation using bone plates and screws. In 109 cases bone plates were removed (79 males and 30 females), with an overall removal rate of 23.4%. The most common indication for removal was young age (53.4%) followed by infection (25%). The mandible was the most common site of removal (80%). Most of the plates (86%) that required removal in adults were removed within the first year after insertion. Conclusions: Based on this study, the incidence of bone plate removal was relatively low, and the most common indications for plate removal were young age followed by infection.