• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.209-215
• /
• 2016

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical and radiological outcomes of hook plate fixation for lateral end fracture of the clavicle and acromioclavicular dislocation. Methods: There were a total of 20 cases with lateral end fracture of the clavicle and 16 cases with acromioclavicular dislocation. All patients were evaluated for range of motion, functional score by using Constant score, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons shoulder index at just before implant removal and at final follow-up. Coracoclavicular distance was measured in acromioclavicular dislocation and bony union was evaluated in the lateral end fracture of the clavicle. Results: The clinical outcomes and range of motion were increased at the final follow-up compared with just before implant removal in both the lateral end fracture of the clavicle and acromioclavicular dislocation. In acromioclavicular dislocation, all cases-except one-showed maintenance of reduction after implant removal. Moreover, in the lateral end fracture of the clavicle, all cases-except one-showed bony union. Conclusions: Hook plate fixation in the lateral end fracture of the clavicle and acromioclavicular dislocation resulted in good clinical and radiological results.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.42
• /
• pp.6.1-6.6
• /
• 2020

Background: Various types of miniplates have been developed and used for the reduction of facial bone fractures. We introduced Yang's Keyhole (YK) plate, and reported on its short-term stability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term stability of the YK plate, as a follow-up study, by examining the patients who had used the YK plate among the patients with the reduction of mandible fractures and who visited for plate removal. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 16 patients who underwent mandibular fracture fixation using a YK plate (group I) and 17 patients who underwent mandibular fracture fixation using a conventional plate (group II). Assessment was then made on malunion, occlusal stability, discomfort during the application, and clinical symptoms. Results: From January 2015 to December 2017, a total of 36 patients underwent mandibular fracture surgery using a YK plate. A total of 16 patients received plate removal. Among them, 15 were male and 1 female. The average age was 26 years. The applied surgical sites were the 12 on mandibular angle, 4 on mandibular symphysis, and 2 on subcondyle. The application period of YK plate was an average of 335 days. During the same period, 45 people underwent surgery on the conventional plate. A total of 17 patients received plate removal. Among them, 15 were male and 2 females. The average age was 36 years. The applied surgical sites were the 8 on mandibular angle, 4 on mandibular symphysis, and 2 on subcondyle. The application period of the conventional plate was an average of 349 days. No malocclusion occurred at the time of removal, and occlusion was stable. No patient complained of joint disease or discomfort. Conclusion: The YK plate system, in which the screw was first inserted and the plate was applied, for clinical convenience did not cause any particular problem and no significant difference from the conventional plate.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.545-551
• /
• 2005

Purpose: The effect of orthognathic surgery on the temporomandibular dysfunction has been controversial. The purpose of this study is to prove statistically that early removal of fixation plate at postoperative 2 weeks with active exercise of mouth opening could relieve preoperative temporomandibular dysfunction and reposition of temporomandibular joint. Patients and Methods: All 28 subject patients underwent mandibular setback with BSSRO in Kyunghee medical center by one surgeon. The fixation plates used for rigid fixation were removed at postoperative 2 weeks and we had the patients excercise active mouth opening with intermaxillary rubber rings for the guiding proper postoperative occlusion. Temporomandibular symptoms were checked and radiographs were taken before surgery, within a month after surgery, six to twelve months after surgery respectively. Results: The temporomandibular dysfunction symptoms were relieved after the surgery and the condyle was displaced inferior-posteriorly immediate after surgery and repositioned toward its original position during follow-up periods. Conculusion: Orthognathic surgery may benefit temporomandibular joint dysfunction by obtaining a postoperative stable occlusion and more physiologic neuromuscular function. The early removal of fixation plates after BSSRO could reposition the temporomandibular joint to physiologic position and relieve the symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction by permitting movement of proximal segment.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.1-4
• /
• 2016

Absorbable plates are used widely for fixation of facial bone fractures. Compared to conventional titanium plating systems, absorbable plates have many favorable traits. They are not palpable after plate absorption, which obviates the need for plate removal. Absorbable plate-related infections are relatively uncommon at less than 5% of patients undergoing fixation of facial bone fractures. The plates are made from a mixture of poly-L-lactic acid and poly-DL-lactic acid or poly-DL-lactic acid and polyglycolic acid, and the ratio of these biodegradable polymers is used to control the longevity of the plates. Degradation rate of absorbable plate is closely related to the chance of infection. Low degradation is associated with increased accumulation of plate debris, which in turn can increase the chance of infection. Predisposing factors for absorbable plate-related infection include the presence of maxillary sinusitis, plate proximity to incision site, and use of tobacco and significant amount of alcohol. Using short screws in fixating maxillary fracture accompanied maxillary sinusitis will increase the rate of infection. Avoiding fixating plates near the incision site will also minimize infection. Close observation until complete absorption of the plate is crucial, especially those who are smokers or heavy alcoholics. The management of plate infection is varied depending on the clinical situation. Severe infections require plate removal. Wound culture and radiologic exam are essential in treatment planning.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.182-186
• /
• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the incidence of indications for the removal of mini-plates over a five-year period in maxillofacial trauma patients. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 530 patients who underwent treatment with mini-plate fixation after maxillofacial trauma were reviewed for a five-year period (May 2007 to May 2012). Patients were evaluated concerning the number of mini-plates removed, age and gender distributions, time between insertion and removal, indication for removal, and site of removal. Results: The plates of 120 patients were removed (26 females and 94 males). The removal rate was 22.6%. The most frequent indication for removal was patient demand (81.7%), followed by tooth extraction (7.5%), and pain (3.3%). The most frequent removal site was the mandible (95.0%). Conclusion: The number of mini-plates removed was small, and the most common indication for removal was patient demand. There is no evidence to support a recommendation for the routine removal of titanium mini-plates.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.14-20
• /
• 1999

Purpose: Despite of the popular use of the reconstruction plate for the fixation of clavicular shaft fractures, some disadventages have been raised such as long period of immobilization, long skin incision, loosening of plate and screws, and increased chance of nonunion due to severe periosteal injury. Thus, the authors have performed intramedullary multiple Steinmann pins fixation that could reduce the disadvantages of plate fixation in order to compare the treatment results between the two groups. Materials & Methods: From 1994. Jan. to 1997. Dec. the department of orthopaedic surgery of the Kwak's hospital treated operatively for 56 cases of the clavicular shaft fractures in adult. 39 cases of them were treated with the plate fixation and 17 cases with the intramedullary multiple Steinmann pins fixation(SP group). Reconstruction plates(Plate group) were used for 26 out of 39 patients treated with plate fixation. Among the Plate group and SP group, each 15 cases were selected by age and sex and compared each other according to the bone union time, union rate, complication, and functional results. The follow-up period was 12 months at the shortest and 48 months at the longest and the average was 16 months. Results: The Plate group showed that the bone union time was 7 weeks and the bone union rate was 93%. The SP group showed 6.5 weeks and 100% respectively. In complication, the Plate group had 1 case of loosening of plate and screws and delayed union; SP group had 1 case of pin migration. The functional results according to Kang's criteria, 87% of the Plate group and 93% of the SP group showed good or excellent. Conclusion : The SP group showed very comparable results in terms of the bone union time, bone union rate, complication, and functional results comparing to the Plate group. The intramedullary multiple Steinmann pins fixation showed several advantages over the reconstruction plate fixation, which were simple operative technique, easy removal of pins, being able to perform immediate postoperative full range of motion exercise. Therefore, the intramedullary multiple Steinmann pins fixation is thought to be one of the useful operative techniques in treatment of the clavicular shaft fractures in adult.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.32-38
• /
• 2005

The efficacy of bioresorbable fixation has recently been described in the osseosynthesis of the oral & maxillofacial region. However, a liitle data exist regarding the use of biodegradable plates and screws for the internal fixation of human mandible fractures. The purpose of this study is to analyze and compare the treatment of mandibular fractures by using a bioresorbable fixation system with conventional titanium system in human mandible fractures. eighteen patients constituted the bioresorbable fixation group and twenty-five patients constituted the titanium fixation group. Both groups underwent open reduction and internal fixation by use of a bioresorbable system or a titanium fixation system. Panoramic radiograph were obtained preoperatively, immediately postoperatively after reduction, at 6 months and at 12 months postoperatively. In the bioresorbable fixation group, complication(infection) occurred in 1 patient(5.6%) and was resolved by incision & drainage, plate removal and antibiotics without untoward sequelae. 2 patients(8.0%) experienced complications in the titanium fixation group and were treated using conservative treatment. There was no statistical difference in complication rates between two groups. Our data supported the use of bioresorbale plate fixation in mandibular fractures as a means of avoiding the potential and well documented problems with rigid titanium fixation systems. In conclusion, the bioresorbable fixation system provide a reliable and sufficient alternative to conventional titanium plate system.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.33-37
• /
• 2009

Purpose: To evaluate the results of the compression plate fixation and autogenous bone graft in the management of humerus shaft nonunion. Materials and Methods: Eighteen cases were treated for humerus shaft nonunion using compression plate fixation and an autogenous iliac bone graft. The mean follow-up period was 28 months. Bony union was confirmed from the serial radiographs and the clinical outcomes were assessed according to ASES scoring system. Results: In 12 cases of initial plate fixation, the causes of nonunion were 6 cases of inadequate plate length, 2 with a broken plate, 2 with screw loosening, 1 infection and 1 noncompliance of a psychiatric patient. In 3 cases of initial intramedullary fixation, the cause of nonunion was a distraction of the fracture site. In 3 cases of external fixation, the cause of nonunion was inadequate fixation. All cases showed bony union after an average of 24 weeks. The clinical outcomes were 11 excellent, 6 good and 1 fair. Conclusion: In the treatment for nonunion, compression plate fixation with autogeneous bone graft after complete removal of the fibrous and necrotic tissue is believed to give satisfactory results.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.373-379
• /
• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between smoking and clinical outcomes of hook plate fixation for acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries. Methods: This study retrospectively investigated 82 patients who underwent hook plate fixation for acute AC joint dislocation between March 2014 to June 2022. The patients were grouped by smoking status, with 49 in group N (nonsmokers) and 33 in group S (smokers). Functional scores and active range of motion were compared among the groups at the 1-year follow-up. Coracoclavicular distance (CCD) was measured, and difference with the uninjured side was compared at initial injury and 6 months after implant removal. Results: No significant differences were observed between the two groups in demographic factors such as age and sex, as well as parameters related to initial injury status, which included time from injury to surgery, the preoperative CCD difference value, and the Rockwood classification. However, the postoperative CCD difference was significantly higher in group S (3.1±2.6 mm) compared to group N (1.7±2.4 mm). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that smoking and the preoperative CCD difference independently contributed to an increase in the postoperative CCD difference. Despite the radiographic differences, the postoperative clinical outcome scores and active range of motion measurements were comparable between the groups. Conclusions: Smoking had a detrimental impact on ligament healing after hook plate fixation for acute AC joint dislocations. This finding emphasizes the importance of smoking cessation to optimize reduction maintenance after AC joint injury. Level of evidence: III.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.186-190
• /
• 2007

Purpose: Plate systems have been used for osteosynthesis of cranial and oromaxillofacial fracture. However, there is no consensus on the need for routine removal of plate and the question about indications of removal. Therefore, we present the retrospective study to clarify the indications and consensus of removal. Methods: The medical records of patients who were treated with rigid internal fixation using plates after craniofacial trauma were reviewed. Study variables included age, gender, type of fracture, type of plate, seniority of the operator, causes of removal, and time between insertion and removal. All results amendable to statistics were analyzed using SPSS 10.0 to determine which set of variables might affect the fate of the plates. Results: For a period of 10 years (March 1, 1994 through July 31, 2004), total of 41 plates(6.7%) were removed among 609 plates inserted into 419 patients; 27 plates were removed from 15 patients for infection, which is the most common cause of removal accounting for 65.8%. Mean time between insertion and removal is 35.2 months and mean age is 41.4 years. Most plates were removed from combined fracture(14.92%) and facial fracture(8.47%) and these were statistically significant. The age, gender, seniority of the operator and other variables were not statistically associated with plate removal. Conclusion: This retrospective study shows that routine removal does not appear to be clinically indicated due to respectively low removal rate and that the commonest indications for removal were infection.