Complication rates associated with different treatments for mandibular fractures.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared the complication rate with different types of mandibular fracture treatment (maxillomandibular fixation, 2-mm miniplates, 2.4-mm AO plates, and 2.7-mm AO plates).


METHODS
A total of 245 patients who presented with 386 fractures were retrospectively analyzed. Patient characteristics, type of fracture, severity of fracture, type of treatment used, and occurrence of complications were recorded. Statistical analysis was used to compare complication rates, fracture severity, and type of treatment.


RESULTS
There were no differences in the complication rates for the different types of treatment. There was a significant correlation (P < .05) between fracture severity and the overall complication rate, postoperative infection, and postoperative malocclusion, but there was no significant correlation between these complications and the type of treatment applied.


CONCLUSIONS
The occurrence of postoperative complications in the treatment of mandibular fractures is fundamentally related to the severity of the fracture rather than to the type of treatment used.
Moreno
J C
JC
Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Infanta Cristina, Badajoz, Spain.
Fernández
A
A
Ortiz
J A
JA
Montalvo
J J
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000009:adverse effects; D003769:Dental Occlusion, Traumatic / Q000209:etiology; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries; D014945:Wound Healing