Use of lag screws for fractures of the mandibular body.
OBJECTIVE
This article presents the results of treating fractures of the mandibular body using lag screws alone or lag screws inserted through bone plates.


METHODS
Thirty-one patients treated for fractures of the mandibular body using lag screws within a 5.5-year period were retrospectively studied for complications. Nine patients were treated with lag screws only and 22 with a lag screw inserted through a bone plate. No patient was placed into postsurgical maxillomandibular fixation.


RESULTS
There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications, except for one dental abscess.


CONCLUSIONS
Lag screw fixation of mandibular body fractures is a reliable technique when these is sufficient obliquity of the fracture.
Ellis
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University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-9109, USA.
D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome