Frequency of reasons of plate removal following maxillofacial trauma in patients presenting to Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbotabad.

Abstract

Objective: To find out the incidence and causes of plate removal in cases of maxillofacial trauma at a tertiary healthcare facility. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad. Period: October 2025-March 2026. Methods: A total of 133 patients having undergone ORIF surgery for maxillofacial fractures and who later needed plates to be removed were selected by non-probability consecutive sampling. Information related to demographic characteristics, location of fractures, and causes of plate removal was collected on a predesigned questionnaire. SPSS version 26 was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 133 subjects were contained in the study; of these subjects, 97 (i.e., 72.9%) were males and 36 (i.e., 27.1%) were females. The maxilla was the most common fracture location (53.4%). 46 (i.e., 34.6%) patients had surgical site infections as the rationale for removing the plate implant. Plate exposure (27 patients; 20.3%), pain or discomfort due to the implant (19; 14.3%), mechanical failure of the implant (15; 11.3%), and the desire for reconstructive surgery (7; 5.3%) were additional reasons for removal of the implants. No statistical association was found between the indication for plate removal and the patient's gender (p=0.110), age category (p=0.505), or the fracture's location (p=0.523). Conclusion: Surgical site infection remains the predominant reason for plate removal after treatment of facial trauma. Improved postoperative care can potentially reduce the incidence of complications associated with the use of plate implants for treatment of facial trauma.