A retrospective analysis of 279 patients with isolated mandibular fractures treated with titanium miniplates.

PURPOSE: This article addresses the suitability of semirigid fixation for the treatment of mandibular fractures.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Between 1986 and 1991, 279 patients with 447 isolated mandibular fractures were treated with miniplate fixation using the tension-band principle of Champy et al. The time from trauma to treatment, etiology, number and location of the fractures, and the presence of preoperative infection and neurosensory disturbances were recorded. Postoperative complications such as infections, neurosensory disturbances, malocclusion, and nonunions also were recorded, as well as the reasons for removal of the miniplates.

RESULTS

Postoperative infection occurred in 10 patients (3.6%). These infections were controlled by antibiotics and the miniplates were removed after the acute phase. Occlusion disturbances were noted postoperatively in 13 patients (4.7%), and they were corrected by minimal occlusal grinding in the majority of cases. Neurosensory disturbances were noted preoperatively in 26.9% of the patients and 12 months postoperatively in 1.4% of the patients. Forty-seven plates (8.1%) in 32 patients (11.5%) were removed for a variety of reasons. No cases of nonunion occurred.

CONCLUSION

Semirigid fixation of mandibular fractures with miniplates is a viable treatment option for the management of such injuries.