Titanium plate removal in orthognathic surgery: prevalence, causes and risk factors. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this review was to analyse the prevalence of titanium plate removal in orthognathic surgery, as well as the causes of plate removal, and to determine the associated risk factors. A thorough search of the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases was conducted. The inclusion criteria were studies of adult patients who underwent orthognathic surgery in which monocortical titanium plates and screws were placed. Of the 325 references identified, 19 were included in the qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis. Overall, 13.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 9.6-18.3%) of the patients required the removal of at least one titanium plate; 9.7% (95% CI 6.3-14.6%) of the plates placed were removed. The main causes of removal were infection (6.6%), exposed plate (2.6%), thermal sensitivity (2.1%), palpable plate or screw (2.0%), and pain/tenderness (1.9%). Female sex, smoking, and plates placed in the lower jaw were the main risk factors, with odds ratios of 1.5 (95% CI 1.1-2.0), 2.5 (95% CI 1.4-4.2), and 1.8 (95% CI 1.0-3.2), respectively. In no case was a publication bias problem detected. Fixation using titanium plates has a relatively low prevalence of removal. Infection is the main reason for removal. Female sex and smoking, are the main risk factors for removal. Plates placed in the lower jaw is a non-significant risk factor.

Keywords: infection; orthognathic surgery; plate removal.