title: Resorbable plates for fixation of complicated mandibular fractures in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this article was to review our experience in the treatment of complicated mandibular fractures in children using resorbable plates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records of 14 patients who sustained and presented to our department with complicated fractures of the mandible, and were treated with resorbable plates were retrieved. Permission was sought from and granted by the institution ethical committee. Data extracted included patients' gender, age, etiology of fracture, nature of fracture and site of the fracture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 14 patients, there were 10 males and 4 females with a male to female (M:F) ratio of 2.5:1. Their ages ranged from 6 to 15 years, with a mean of 10.14 years. The etiology of the fractures included road traffic accidents (n = 11) and falls (n = 3). Most of the fractures were sustained on the body of the mandible. Majority of the patients had displacement of the fracture segments; 2 patients had comminuted fractures. All the fractures were treated using resorbable plates and healed uneventfully.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whereas the number of patients in this case series was small, it is worth noting that children sometimes present with complicated fractures of the mandible, thereby necessitating open reduction and internal fixation. Resorbable plates when available and affordable, are an effective option for open reduction and internal fixation of such fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital and School of Stomatology, Wuhan University, 237 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, 430079 Hubei China.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ongodia
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital and School of Stomatology, Wuhan University, 237 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, 430079 Hubei China.
authors.forename: Zhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital and School of Stomatology, Wuhan University, 237 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, 430079 Hubei China.
authors.forename: Wu Zhong
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital and School of Stomatology, Wuhan University, 237 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, 430079 Hubei China.
authors.forename: Zu-Bing
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Li
keywords: Children; Mandibular fractures; Resorbable plates