Lag screws in sagittal split osteotomies: should they be removed?

The use of stainless steel lag screws to provide rigid internal fixation for sagittal split osteotomies was first described more than 17 years ago. It was shown that the need for intermaxillary fixation could be eliminated and that lower relapse rates could be produced. However a decade later, removal of the screws was still being advocated. In this study, 48 patients had a total of 259 screws inserted over a 5 year period. Twenty six screws were removed 10 months following insertion. Most of these were removed in the absence of any symptoms although a few were palpable or tender to touch. None of the screws removed were loose nor was there any evidence of infection or corrosion associated with them. The long term consequences of screw retention are discussed and it is suggested that they do not need to be removed routinely.