Effect of rigid microfixation on the craniomaxillofacial skeleton.

Rigid microfixation has enhanced the immediate results in pediatric craniomaxillofacial surgery. The effects of rigid fixation on the development of the craniofacial skeleton, however, remain uncertain. The long-term effects of rigid microfixation on the growing craniofacial skeleton in the rabbit model were evaluated in this study. Bifrontal craniectomies were preformed in 9-day-old rabbits. The frontal bones were replaced orthotopically and fixed both anteriorly and posteriorly with either wire osteosynthesis or titanium microplates and screws. The animals were allowed to grow to craniofacial maturity, and craniofacial development was evaluated with both cephalometric and craniometric analyses. All data were statistically analyzed through analysis of variance. Regional adverse growth effects on the craniofacial skeleton with the use of both wire and rigid fixation were observed. The adverse effects were greatest with the use of rigid fixation.