Incidence and risk factors predisposing plate removal following orthognathic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and reasons for titanium fixation plate removal following orthognathic surgery, identify risk factors predisposing removal, and explore if discomfort was reduced postoperatively.

STUDY DESIGN: Medical records of 404 consecutive cases were retrospectively reviewed. All patients received a questionnaire for follow-up, and 323 patients answered the questionnaire, thus forming the sample group.

RESULTS: Of all the responding patients, 15% had plates removed, and 92% of these patients experienced relief from discomfort after removal of the plates. Infection was the most common reason for plate removal (10%). Smoking (hazard ratio 2.74) and surgery performed in the mandible (hazard ratio 2.40) increased the need for plate removal. For each plate added in the mandible, the risk for removal increased by 34%.

CONCLUSIONS: Smoking, osteotomies, and additional numbers of plates in the mandible resulted in a higher incidence of plate removal. Most of the patients experienced relief from discomfort after plate removal.