Comparative study between resorbable and nonresorbable plates in orthognathic surgery.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical application of resorbable and nonresorbable plates for correction of facial asymmetry.

Patients And Methods: A total of 272 patients who had undergone orthognathic surgery were enrolled. The site of osteotomy was fixed using a nonresorbable plate in group I (n = 152) and using a resorbable plate in group II (n = 120). The postoperative complications included postoperative anterior open bite, infection, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and postoperative relapse. The incidence of all complications was examined.

Results: The surgical outcome was successful in 269 patients (98.89%). Of the 152 patients with a titanium plate, 13 (8.6%) developed complications. Of the 120 patients with a resorbable plate, 22 (18.3%) developed complications. A greater degree of postoperative open bite and a trend toward relapse were observed in patients' cases in which an absorbable fixation plate was used. Postoperative infection occurred in patients with an absorbable fixation plate.

Conclusion: On the basis of these data, we have concluded that an absorbable fixation plate should be used instead of a titanium fixation plate in indicated patients.