Evaluation of postoperative complications of open reduction and internal fixation in the management of mandibular fractures: A retrospective study

Abstract

Background: Mandible is one of the most prominent bones of the facial skeleton leading to high prevalence of fracture during facial trauma. The management of mandibular fractures has evolved from intermaxillary fixation (IMF) to a combination of IMF and wire osteosynthesis, lag screw, and plate fixation. Despite the evolution in techniques, no technique including open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) has proven to be completely devoid of complications. However, ORIF has many advantages and has resulted in better outcome when compared with the closed reduction methods. Aim: The aim of this retrospective study is to assess the incidence of postoperative complications in 98 patients treated with ORIF for mandibular fractures. Materials and Methods: A sample size of 98 patients with mandibular fractures reporting to Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, from January 2014 to November 2016, treated by ORIF was included in the study and was split into three groups. The patient s records were analyzed for deriving the number and type of complications that occurred during the postoperative period of ORIF. Results: Patients with fractures in the condyle region reported with the highest number of complications when compared to the angle and parasymphysis regions. The most common complications that the patients reported were infection that led to plate removal and paresthesia. Others were wound dehiscence, occlusal disturbances, and facial nerve paralysis which were less common. Conclusion: The most common postoperative complication of the procedure in this retrospective study was found to be infection of the plates that are preventable with better aseptic techniques.