title: Treatment of severe mandibular fractures using AO reconstruction plates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the use of 2.4-mm AO titanium reconstruction plates for mandibular fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the clinical and radiologic data of 63 patients with 63 single fractures (53 comminuted, 5 dislocated, and 5 with bone loss) and 2 patients with double fractures. Fracture location was symphysis in 37 patients (56.9%), body in 13 (20%), and angle in 15 (23.1%). We recorded the mechanism of injury, time between injury and surgery, gender and age, temporary maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) and its duration, and surgical approach. Follow-up examinations were performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, at which time we noted the status of healing and any complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty patients (77%) had a successful treatment outcome without complications; 13 patients (20%) developed minor complications; and 2 patients (3%) developed nonunion with infection requiring hardware removal and reosteosynthesis with bone graft.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that 2.4-mm AO titanium reconstruction plates can be used to treat severe mandibular fractures with a low rate of major complications (3%) and a high success rate.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reconstructive Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, Genève, Switzerland. scolozzi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scolozzi
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Richter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000601:surgery*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D014025:Titanium
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium