National hardware removal rate associated with internal fixation of facial fractures.

PURPOSE: There has not been a broad national examination of complications and demographics of facial trauma reduction procedures. The literature has reported acceptable and unacceptable hardware removal rates in localized populations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 2007 Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to determine all plate removal procedures associated with common complications from facial reductions. Statistical analysis was used to compare the differences in demographics of the reduction procedure and removal procedure groups.

RESULTS: Some form of open fixation was reported in 4,879 patients. Plate removals associated with complications were reported in 246 patients. The "failure" removal rate as a percentage of the total number of open procedures for the year was 5.0%. Gender, race, age, primary payer, and median income of the patient were determined to significantly affect the likelihood for hardware removal due to complications.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that decreased lower bone quality and ability to pay affect the chances that a particular patient will undergo a hardware removal procedure. There is a strong possibility that the reported removal rate underestimates the actual failure rate of the procedures and devices used to treat facial trauma.