title: Treatment of edentulous mandibular fractures with rigid internal fixation: case series and literature review.
abstract: The aim of the study is to analyze the effectiveness of rigid internal fixation (RIF) for treating edentulous mandibular fractures. Because of the low incidence of fractures in edentulous mandible, there is no consensus of the optimal treatment for it. This study included all edentulous patients with mandibular fracture diagnosis, who were treated with internal fixation at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires from November 1991 to July 2011. Data such as age, gender, etiology and location of fracture, surgical approach, type of osteosynthesis used, and postoperative complications were analyzed. A total of 18 patients, 76.2 years mean age, 12 females (66.6%), presented a total of 35 mandibular fractures. The mandibular body was the most common localization of the fractures. Twenty-five fractures received surgical treatment with RIF, mainly approached extraorally. Reconstruction plates were the most common type of fixation used. Fracture reduction was considered satisfactory in 96.5%, with 22.2% of complications and 11.1% of reoperations needed. Open reduction and RIF demonstrated to be a reliable method for treating edentulous mandibular fractures. Nevertheless, there is lack of high-level recommendation publication to support this.
authors.affiliation: Division of Head and Neck, Department of General Surgery, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Edgardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Franciosi
authors.affiliation: Division of Head and Neck, Department of General Surgery, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mazzaro
authors.affiliation: Division of Head and Neck, Department of General Surgery, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Larranaga
authors.affiliation: Division of Head and Neck, Department of General Surgery, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rios
authors.affiliation: Division of Head and Neck, Department of General Surgery, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Picco
authors.affiliation: Division of Head and Neck, Department of General Surgery, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Figari
keywords: ORIF; atrophic mandible; edentulous; load bearing osteosynthesis; mandibular fracture; rigid internal fixation