Abstract: A surgical plate and process for preventing screw backout of repaired bones. At least one pawl is provided on a surgical plate adjacent to a screw hole. A screw having a ratchet wheel is inserted through the hole and screwed into the bone. The pawl engages the ratchet wheel to prevent rotational movement of the screw to prevent the screw from backing out. In a preferred embodiment, a pawl plate comprising a base portion is rigidly connected to the surgical plate and a torsion bar is pivotally connected to the base portion. The pawl is positioned at the end of the torsion bar. In the preferred embodiments, several of these special screw holes with pawls, and several screws (each with a ratchet wheel) are used in bone repair.