The role of autogenous primary rib grafts in treating fractures of the atrophic edentulous mandible.

Fractures of the atrophic edentulous mandible are relatively uncommon representing less than 1% of all facial bone fractures seen at The Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead. Only 35 patients have been treated for fractures of the atrophic edentulous mandible at this unit from a total of over 4000 facial bone fractures seen here between 1975 and 1994. All traditional treatment modalities have been utilised with varying degrees of success. A technique is presented whereby all displaced fractures of the atrophic edentulous mandible with a measured bony vertical dimension of less than 10 mm at the fracture site are managed with primary autogenous rib grafting. This reduces the risk for formation of pseudarthrosis and facilitates subsequent prosthetic rehabilitation.