Lag screw fixation in the upper craniomaxillofacial skeleton.

Rigid internal fixation of the craniomaxillofacial skeleton has become commonplace in osseous reconstructive procedures of the face. While miniplates are useful in many traumatic, reconstructive, and congenital anomaly cases, they are often unnecessary. Lag screw fixation is routinely used in the mandible and has the advantage of maximal stability when compared with other fixation techniques. These principles can similarly be applied in a variety of situations in the upper facial skeleton, including fracture and bone graft fixation, as well as in pediatric craniofacial surgery. We review the technique and appropriate indications and demonstrate via case examples this diversity of applicability for using lag screw techniques. Finally, results of 83 cases in which this technique has been used will be reviewed, including complications.