Introduction: The present study was performed to analyse the diagnosis, treatment and complications of mandibular fractures surgically treated over a period of 10 years in a Dutch population.
Materials and methods: The hospital and outpatient records patients surgically treated for a mandibular bone fracture from January 2000 to January 2009, were reviewed and analysed retrospectively.
Results: Between January 2000 and January 2009 225 patients were surgically treated for a mandibular fracture (mean age of 32.6 (SD: ±14.6) years). A total of 426 fracture lines were identified. Of 213 dentate patients 29 patients were treated primarily with intermaxillary fixation (IMF). IMF combined with osteosynthesis was performed in 99 patients. 79 patients received IMF only peroperatively to make open reposition and internal fixation (ORIF) possible. Of 12 edentulous patients 3 patients were treated with Gunning splints. Nine patients were treated by manual reposition and internal fixation. A total of 1965 screws and 442 plates were used. 60 (26.7%) patients presented with complications, including (transient) hyposensibility of the lip and chin (34 patients), malocclusion (15 patients), infected osteosynthesis material (6 patients) and temporomandibular dysfunction (5 patients). Four patients needed surgical retreatment for correction of a developed malocclusion.
Conclusion: The results of this report are partly in line with other studies and provide important data for improving the treatment of the fractured mandible.
Conflict of interest: None declared.