Rigid Internal Fixation
Also written as: RIF — Rigid Internal Fixation
The stabilisation of osteotomy or fracture segments using titanium plates and screws to prevent movement and promote bony union.
Full Definition
Rigid internal fixation (RIF) is a technique used in oral and maxillofacial surgery to maintain the position of osteotomised or fractured bone segments by applying titanium (or bioresorbable) miniplates and screws directly to the bone surface. The rigidity of the fixation prevents micromotion at the osteotomy site, facilitating primary bone healing without callus formation. RIF has largely replaced intermaxillary fixation as the primary method of postoperative stabilisation following orthognathic surgery. Editors must expand RIF on first use and distinguish it from 'semi-rigid' or 'wire' fixation systems documented in older case records.
Usage
Usage note: Abbreviate as RIF after first use. Ensure plate material (titanium vs. bioresorbable) is accurately recorded. Do not conflate with ORIF, which is a broader procedural term encompassing the surgical approach as well as the fixation method.
In Context
- "Rigid internal fixation was achieved using four-hole titanium miniplates at the Le Fort I osteotomy site bilaterally." — Operative Report
- "The case study noted that rigid internal fixation (RIF) had superseded prolonged intermaxillary fixation in this unit's orthognathic protocol." — Clinical Case Study