A simple method with a sterilized surgical glove for removal of stripped screw.

In oral and maxillofacial surgery such as orthognathic surgery and open treatment of maxillofacial fracture, plate fixation is commonly performed. Although the removal of titanium miniplates is controversial, the plates are removed routinely or symptomatically. By excessive torque during the screw removal, stripping or breaking of screw heads may occur. Although miniplates and screws are used with angled screwdrivers for osteosynthesis in bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) or open treatment of mandibular angle or subcondylar fracture, the removal of a damaged screw, especially with the angled screwdriver, is very difficult. Therefore, we report a simple method with a sterilized surgical glove for removal of the stripped screw.