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.