title: Evidence-based medicine: Mandible fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Describe the anatomy and subunits of the mandible. 2. Review the cause and epidemiology of mandible fractures. 3. Discuss the preoperative evaluation and diagnostic imaging. 4. Understand the principles and techniques of mandible fracture reduction and fixation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The management of mandibular fractures has undergone significant improvement because of advancements in plating technology, imaging, and instrumentation. As the techniques in management continue to evolve, it is imperative for the practicing physician to remain up-to-date with the growing body of scientific literature. The objective of this Maintenance of Certification article is to present a review of the literature so that the physician may make treatment recommendation based on the best evidence available. Pediatric fractures have been excluded from this article.
authors.affiliation: Hershey, Pa.; and St. Paul, Minn. From the Division of Plastic Surgery, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine and the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center; and the Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Regions Hospital.
authors.forename: Brad T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Morrow
authors.forename: Thomas D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Samson
authors.forename: Warren
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schubert
authors.forename: Donald R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Mackay
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods