title: The use of resorbable plates in association with dental arch stabilization in the treatment of mandibular fractures in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resorbable plate fixation in association with dental arch stabilization in the treatment of displaced mandibular fractures in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen children (5 girls and 8 boys, age range 2 years 5 months to 12 years 2 months) with displaced mandibular fractures were included in this case series. Open reduction by intraoral approach was performed on these patients, and the fractures were fixed using resorbable plates and monocortical screws placed at the lower border of the mandible. At the same time, an arch bar or orthodontic wire splint was anchored using stainless steel wires or resin on the teeth to stabilize the whole mandibular dental arch. Postoperatively, follow-up was undertaken to evaluate the fracture healing, mandible movement, and mandible growth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperatively, all patients achieved uneventful healing; premorbid occlusion restoration and wound healing were achieved, along with unimpaired function and normal growth and development of the mandible. Complications such as damage to tooth buds, infection, malunion, and nonunion were not encountered in these patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Resorbable plates use in association with dental arch stabilization can provide good stabilization for mandibular fractures and is a promising approach for the treatment of displaced mandibular fractures in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory for Oral Biomedical Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Zhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory for Oral Biomedical Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Ongodia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: David
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory for Oral Biomedical Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. Electronic address: li_whuss@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Zu-Bing
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D001864:Bone Wires; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000254:growth & development / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000254:growth & development / Q000601:surgery*; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012117:Resins, Synthetic / Q000737:chemistry; D013165:Splints; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D013193:Stainless Steel
keywords: Children; Dental arch stabilization; Mandibular fracture; Open reduction and internal fixation; Resorbable plates