Objective To explore the application effects of segmental design principles in the small incision approach rigid internal fixation for the treatment of maxillofacial fractures.Methods With a retrospective study,from September 2012 to April 2016,172 patients with maxillofacial fractures were selected as the research object in our hospital.All the patients were divided into the observation group of 100 patients and control group of patients according to the different treatment methods.Two groups were treated with mall incision approach rigid internal fixation.The observation group were given the preoperative design based on the segmental design principles.The other operation process were similar with the control group.Results All patients were completed the operation,the fracture were healed by Ⅰ stage.The postoperative 3months of total effective rates of the observation group and the control group were 98.0％ and 83.3％.The total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P ＜ 0.05).The postoperative 3months of infection,nerve injury,salivary fistula,screw loosening and complication rate in the observation group was 3.0％,so that was 20.8％ in the control group,the observation group was significantly lower than the control group (P ＜ 0.05).The postoperative 3months of occlusal relationship and normal rates of the observation group were 99.0％ and 98.0％,respectively.The control group was 93.1％and 90.3％,respectively.There were between the two groups statistically significance difference(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The segmental design principles in the small incision approach rigid internal fixation for the treatment of maxillofacial fractures can improve the therapeutic effect,reduce the incidence of postoperative complications,improve the occlusal relationship with normal mouth opening rate.It is an ideal method for the treatment of maxillofacial fracture.