Abstract

Aim: To analyse the prevalence and factors regarding to osteosynthesis elements (OTS) removal from patients surgically treated due to maxillofacial fractures. Materials and Method: Retrospective study in which all patients with diagnosis of maxillofacial fractures and treated with open reduction and internal rigid fixation were included, in an interval of 10 years, in the Maxillofacial Surgery Service of HCMS. Results: In 807 surgically treated patients, with an age between 22-66 years, 2.421 OTS were used. Among them, 58 patients (7.2%) underwent a second surgical procedure, with a total of 129 OTS removed (5.3%). The main cause of removal was infection (41.1%), commonly of a chronic nature. The lower third of the face was the most affected, specifically, the parasymphysis region. 39% of OTS were withdrawn before 12 months. Conclusions: OTS removal after maxillofacial trauma has a low prevalence, the most affected site is the mandibular bone, within the first 12-24 months. The aetiology is variable, however, infection remains one of the main. The findings suggest that it would not be advisable to perform this procedure universally for all patients.