Lag screw fixation in midface fractures.

Through analysis of case series from medical record review, this article demonstrates how lag screw fixation may be used to effectively treat obliquely oriented maxillary, zygomatic, and orbital rim fractures. Lag screw fixation of midface fractures has been overshadowed by other readily available plate fixation techniques. Nonetheless, lag screw fixation provides quick, stable, and effective reduction of obliquely oriented maxillary, zygomatic, and orbital fractures without risk of plate exposure and with potentially superior primary osteosynthesis. Lag screw fixation remains an excellent alternative to plate fixation techniques in the repair of appropriate midface fractures.