title: Management of fractures of the atrophic mandible: a case series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to report the outcome of patients with atrophic mandible fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Atrophic mandible fractures in 11 patients (7 females and 4 males) were approached with a transcervical incision, and bone segments were stabilized with 2.7-mm reconstruction titanium plates and locking screws placed at the lateral border of the mandible. In 6 of the 11 cases, autogenous cancellous bone was used to repair a continuity defect or to augment the vertical height of the bone in the region of the fracture(s).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No major intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered in any patient. Two patients presented with postoperative infections that resolved with incision-drainage and antibiotics, and removal or replacement of the reconstruction plates or the bone grafts was not required.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of atrophic mandible fractures can be performed safely and effectively with reconstruction plates, with or without bone grafting. The most conservative and predictable treatment in the long term is the definitive reconstructive surgical procedure to restore form and immediate function.
authors.affiliation: Research Fellow, Case Western Reserve University, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Andres
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flores-Hidalgo
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Akdeniz University, Faculty of Dentistry, Antalya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Altay
authors.affiliation: Research fellow, Case Western Reserve University, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Isabel C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Atencio
authors.affiliation: Resident, Case Western Reserve University, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Ashley E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Manlove
authors.affiliation: Assistant Clinical Professor, Case Western Reserve University, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Keith M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Chair of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Case Western Reserve University, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Electronic address: dale.baur@case.edu.
authors.forename: Dale A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Baur
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Residency Program Director at Case Western Reserve University, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Faisal A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Quereshy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001284:Atrophy; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome