Osteosynthesis in facial bone fractures using miniplates: clinical and experimental studies.

Miniplates were used in the treatment of 66 patients with facial bone fractures. Follow-up (mean, 12 months) disclosed that complications occurred only in cases of mandibular fracture: there were five instances of wound dehiscence, two of infection, and two of occlusal disharmony. Loading tests on the mandibles of dogs which had undergone segmental resection showed that a dynamic compression plate gives rigid fixation, although this appeared to be due to the rigidity of the thick plate itself, rather than the compressive force. When mandibular continuity was restored with a graft, the miniplates provided considerable rigidity.