title: [Investigations on the cause of death in a polytoxicomanic patient treated with wires and intermaxillary fixation for a chronic, infected mandibular fracture].
abstract: The case of a 36-year-old male and former patient is presented who died for initially unknown reasons, with intermaxillary wire fixation for the treatment of an infected mandibular fracture still in place. The combined investigation of forensic experts and maxillofacial surgeons excluded aspiration and asphyxia as cause of death. Evidence was found for lethal methadone concentrations after intravenous drug abuse and a broncho pneumonia. Despite the clear evidence of a fatal intoxication in this case, caution must be exercised when dealing with individuals carrying intermaxillary fixation.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Zahn-, Mund-, Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie (Nordwestdeutsche Kieferklinik), Universitätsklinikums Hamburg-Eppendorf.
authors.forename: Reinhard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Friedrich
authors.forename: Hilke
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Andresen
authors.forename: Friedrich
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schulz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001864:Bone Wires; D002423:Cause of Death; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000473:pathology*; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008691:Methadone / Q000506:poisoning*; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000473:pathology*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone