Timing for repair of mandible fractures

✍ Scribed by Daniel A. Barker; Kenneth K. Oo; Amir Allak; Stephen S. Park

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2011
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 114 KB
• Volume: 121
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0023-852X
• DOI: 10.1002/lary.21775

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Timing for repair of mandible fractures is a significant factor with regard to the rate of complication.

Study Design:

Retrospective chart review of the previous 5 years (January 2005–January 2010).

Methods:

All patients undergoing mandible fracture fixation performed in the study period and having complete records were analyzed (n = 83). Patients were stratified by time to fixation following initial injury. Subjects were then separated by the presence or absence of any of the following complications: infection, malunion, and nonunion. Logistical regression was then performed.

Results:

Out of 83 patients there were 4 patients with six complications including malunion (n = 4) and infection (n = 2). There were no cases of nonunion. Delay in surgical intervention did not influence the complication rate.

Conclusions:

Complications from repair of mandible fractures are rare; it is difficult to detect significant variables that may impact outcomes. We found no relationship between complications and timing to repair.