RIGID INTERNAL-FIXATION OF MANDIBULAR FRACTURES - AN ANALYSIS OF 270 FRACTURES TREATED USING THE AO ASIF METHOD

The results are reported on 214 patients treated for 270 mandibular fractures, using rigid internal fixation. Of these, 172 fractures (63.7%) in 131 patients had been re-evaluated at final follow-up in connection with plate and screw removal, on average 15.2 months, postoperatively. Although one-third of the patients had a history of alcohol abuse, and 86% were treated with a delay of more than 24 h (mean 3.2 days), good primary bone healing was observed in 93.9% of the patients. Infections, seen in 6.1% of the patients, were related exclusively to inadequate stability of the fracture. Malocclusion, observed in 18.2% of 159 dentate patients, was caused by incorrect plate bending and insufficient fracture reduction. Immediate postoperative dysfunction of the inferior alveolar nerve in 58.1% of the cases, and of the mandibular branch of the facial nerve in 12.7%, was followed by almost total recovery 1 year after operation. It is concluded that rigid internal fixation is a reliable method of treatment, especially indicated for patients with reduced healing capacity and poor co-operation.