title: Mandibular trauma treatment: a comparison of two protocols.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment of mandibular fractures treated in two European centre in 10 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is based on 2 systematic computer-assisted databases that have continuously recorded patients hospitalized with maxillofacial fractures in two centers in Turin, Italy and in Amsterdam, the Netherlands for ten years. Only patients who were admitted for mandibular fractures were considered for this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 2001 and 2010, a total of 752 patients were admitted at Turin hospital with a total of 1167 mandibular fractures not associated with further maxillofacial fractures, whereas 245 patients were admitted at Amsterdam hospital with a total of 434 mandibular fractures. At Amsterdam center, a total of 457 plates (1.5 - 2.7 mm) were used for the 434 mandibular fracture lines, whereas at Turin center 1232 plates (1.5 - 2.5 mm) were used for the management of the 1167 mandibular fracture lines. At Turin center, 190 patients were treated primarily with IMF, whereas 35 patients were treated with such treatment option at Amsterdam center.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Current protocols for the management of mandibular fractures are quite efficient. It is difficult to obtain a uniform protocol, because of the difference of course of each occurring fracture and because of surgeons' experiences and preferences. Several techniques can still be used for each peculiar fracture of the mandible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Pathology, VU University Medical Center and Academic Centre for Dentistry, Amsterdam (ACTA), P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands, paolo.boffano@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boffano
authors.forename: Sofie C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kommers
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Roccia
authors.forename: Tymour
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Forouzanfar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult