Miniplate osteosynthesis for fractures of the edentulous mandible: A clinical study 1989–96

• Published in: Journal of cranio-maxillo-facial surgery 1998-12, Vol.26 (6), p.400-404
• Main Authors: Iatrou, Ioannis, Samaras, Christos, Theologie-Lygidakis, Nadia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Plates; Dentistry; Female; Fracture Fixation, Internal - instrumentation; Fracture Fixation, Internal - methods; Head and neck surgery. Maxillofacial surgery. Dental surgery. Orthodontics; Humans; Jaw, Edentulous - surgery; Male; Mandible - surgery; Mandibular Fractures - surgery; Maxillofacial surgery. Dental surgery. Orthodontics; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications - epidemiology; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
• ISSN: 1010-5182; 1878-4119
• DOI: 10.1016/S1010-5182(98)80075-9

Our 8 years experience of treating fractures of the edentulous mandible by miniplate osteosynthesis, is discussed. Forty patients (31 men and 9 women) aged 37 to 86 years (mean: 64.6 years, SD: ± 14.07) with 67 fracture sites were treated. The surgical approach was mainly intraoral (37 out of 40 patients) without the use of intermaxillary fixation. The postoperative clinical and radiological findings are reported and discussed. The advantages of the method are of great importance since immediate postoperative opening of the mouth is permitted, as the fractured bones are anatomically stabilized by means of titanium miniplates and screws. Our results were felt to be satisfactory, with a reoperation rate of only 3.9% (two out of 51 operated fracture sites, 16 condylar fractures were treated conservatively). This allows us to propose intraoral miniplate osteosynthesis as a routine method of treatment in cases of edentulous mandibular fractures which are mainly seen in elderly people.