Reasons for plate removal after treatment of orbitozygomatic complex fractures.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess numbers of patients that required removal of miniplates after open reduction and internal fixation of the orbitozygomatic complex over a six-year period, and review the reasons for removal.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study from February 2007 to December 2013. All patients who had open reduction and internal fixation for traumatic orbitozygomatic complex fractures were included and those who returned to theatre for plate removal were identified.

RESULTS: 307 plates were placed in 216 patients. Eight plates were removed from six patients giving a 2.6% incidence of plate removal (2.78% of patients). Infection or exposure occurred within the first year in five out of six patients, accounting for the seven buttress plates, which were in situ for an average of 180 days. The infraorbital plate was in situ for 972 days. The majority of plates used were buttress plates as single point fixation.

CONCLUSIONS: In our experience placement of buttress plates for one-point fixation of traumatic orbitozygomatic complex fractures seems to be a safe and effective method with a low rate of complication. Complications seem to occur within a year, which is similar to previous studies.