The fate of miniplates in facial trauma and orthognathic surgery: a retrospective study.

The fate of 279 Champy miniplates used routinely as permanent implants over a 5-year-period in the management of maxillofacial trauma and orthognathic surgery has been analysed retrospectively. Trauma patients (62) and orthognathic patients (47) were analysed separately; in each group those patients who had plates removed were compared to the patients with retained plates. This study indicates that the morbidity of retaining plates is within acceptable limits and that the routine removal of plates at 3 months may be unnecessary.