The relationship between fracture severity and complication rate in miniplate osteosynthesis of mandibular fractures.

There are many factors influencing the outcome of mandibular fracture management; however, the relationship between fracture severity and complication rate has only been recognised intuitively due to the absence of an accepted system of classification of the severity of these fractures. In 1989 Cooter and David described the alpha numeric system of computer based coding for craniofacial fractures. Using this system, a prospective sample of 324 patients with mandibular fractures presenting to the Royal Adelaide Hospital was coded for fracture severity and their progress followed with respect to complication rate. A strong correlation between complication rate and fracture severity was established.