Fixation of mandibular fractures: a tincture of science.
OBJECTIVE
To critically review the literature regarding the fixation of mandibular fractures to gain direction on which type of fixation is indicated in which clinical setting.


METHODS
A critical review of the literature based on computer searches using the Medline and Cochrane databases. The years searched were 1987 to 2002. Keywords used were: mandibular, fracture, fixation and osteosynthesis.


RESULTS
Eight hundred and thirty-four citations were obtained of which 127 were for case reports, orthognathic surgery or veterinary science. Thirty-nine citations dealt with non-clinical testing and four examined cost related to different treatment modalities. Six hundred and sixty-four citations were for articles reporting clinical experience, technical variations, comparative series, or proposed treatment protocols. Only a handful of papers reported studies sufficiently well designed to permit conclusions to be drawn on the relative success of various treatment approaches.


CONCLUSIONS
The published literature on the fixation of mandibular fractures falls well short of that required for evidence based surgery.
D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome