title: Management of mandible fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Review the incidence and etiology of mandible fractures. 2. Discuss indications and techniques for closed and open treatment of mandible fractures. 3. Review complications of mandible fractures.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Mandible fractures are among the most common types of facial fractures treated by plastic surgeons. They must be managed carefully to maintain the function of the mandible, reestablish proper occlusion, and minimize secondary complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Current methods of management include combinations of soft diet, intermaxillary fixation, open reduction with plate fixation, and, rarely, external fixation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Decision-making depends on the age of the patient, type of fracture identified, and concomitant medical conditions or injuries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors review the diagnosis and current trends in management of mandible fractures.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. dheathstacey@gmail.com
authors.forename: D Heath
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Stacey
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: Delora L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Mount
authors.forename: Mary C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.forename: Karol A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Gutowski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D002648:Child; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed