E Ellis1. 1. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-9109, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This article presents the results of treating fractures of the mandibular body using lag screws alone or lag screws inserted through bone plates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients treated for fractures of the mandibular body using lag screws within a 5.5-year period were retrospectively studied for complications. Nine patients were treated with lag screws only and 22 with a lag screw inserted through a bone plate. No patient was placed into postsurgical maxillomandibular fixation. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications, except for one dental abscess. CONCLUSIONS: Lag screw fixation of mandibular body fractures is a reliable technique when these is sufficient obliquity of the fracture.
PURPOSE: This article presents the results of treating fractures of the mandibular body using lag screws alone or lag screws inserted through bone plates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients treated for fractures of the mandibular body using lag screws within a 5.5-year period were retrospectively studied for complications. Nine patients were treated with lag screws only and 22 with a lag screw inserted through a bone plate. No patient was placed into postsurgical maxillomandibular fixation. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications, except for one dental abscess. CONCLUSIONS: Lag screw fixation of mandibular body fractures is a reliable technique when these is sufficient obliquity of the fracture.