[Treatment of delayed complex malhealed jaw fractures in 32 patients.].
OBJECTIVE
Three methods were used to manage delayed complex malhealed jaw fractures in 32 patients. The indication for each method and final result was evaluated.


METHODS
Three methods included conservative therapy, internal fixation and orthognathic surgery. In conservative therapy, intermaxillary fixation was obtained with dental arch splints. In internal fixation, ordinary operation was performed including open exposure of the fractured segments, anatomical reposition and rigid fixation with steel wire or titanium miniplates. In some patients, orthognathic surgery was carried out with intermaxillary ligation for 2 to 3 weeks postoperatively.


RESULTS
All the wounds healed primarily without significant complications. The postoperative occlusion and appearance were satisfactory or fair.


CONCLUSIONS
The selection of treatment methods should be based on the location, time, severity of the fracture and the patients' age, in order to achieve maximal recovery of mastication and appearance.
Guo
Zhao-zhong
ZZ
Department of Dentistry, Nanshan Hospital of Shenzhen City, Shenzhen 518052, Guangdong Province, China. guozhaozhong@tom.com
Yang
Xu
X
Sun
Hui
H
Guo
Cai-feng
CF
Li
Hua-qin
HQ
D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007572:Jaw Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*