Plate fixation for open mandibular fractures.
Eighty-one patients with mandibular fractures were treated between November 1978 and November 1983. Twenty-six of these patients had 47 comminuted open fractures treated with rigid internal fixation utilizing AO compression plating. No infected nonunion, osteomyelitis, or plate extrusion occurred. Occlusal relationships of remaining dentition were maintained with normal mandibular function in all patients. Rigid internal fixation is an excellent method for stabilizing and repairing comminuted open mandibular fractures. The technique provides immediate return of mandibular function which may be critical in the management of the polytraumatized patient.
D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing