INDICATIONS FOR MICROPLATES IN ENT SURGER Y

Microplates are smaller and more ductile than miniplates. We used micr oplates for fixation of fractures in children (seven cases), reconstru ction of isolated frontal sinus wall fractures (39 cases), fixation of lateral mid-facial fractures (79 cases), fractures of the nasoethmoid al complex (14 cases), for different osteoplastic procedures (40 cases ) and for laryngoplasty (three cases). Thirty fractures of the lateral mid-face were treated only with microplates. In these cases, repositi on of the fractured bones was easily achieved and treatment was perfor med only a few days after the trauma. In 49 cases with unstable fractu res after reposition, microplates and miniplates were combinated for f ixation. It is very important to assess the indications for different types of plates (miniplates or microplates) individually in every case . Because of the excellent biocompatibility of titanium and the low ra te of local complications after internal fixation with microplates, it is usually not necessary to remove the plates.