Experience with rigid fixation of mandibular fractures and immediate function.

The results of using rigid fixation for 75 mandibular fractures in 52 patients and allowing immediate function were retrospectively analyzed. Sixteen percent of fractures developed postoperative infection. All infections were in fractures associated with teeth; none occurred in fractures fixed within 24 hours of injury. Angle and posterior body fractures were most likely to become infected. Fractures with improperly applied rigid fixation also were subject to a high infection rate. It was unusual for infection involving this type of treatment to prolong the course of therapy or affect the final outcome.