Supplemental maxillomandibular fixation with miniplate osteosynthesis-required or not?

Abstract

Aim: To compare outcomes of open reduction and internal fixation of mandible fractures followed by either immediate mobilization or 5 days of maxillomandibular fixation.

Material and methods: We analyzed our use of supplemental maxillomandibular fixation with miniplate osteosynthesis during a 2.5-year period in 118 patients with 180 mandible fractures. A retrospective, matched pairing of identical fractures fixated with identical plating schemes was carried out. Thirty-five pairs of patients undergoing monocortical plating were identified. Patients in group 1 were treated with supplemental maxillomandibular fixation after surgery, whereas patients in group 2 (immediate release group) were treated without postoperative maxillomandibular fixation.

Results: The total rate of complications was 17% with supplemental maxillomandibular fixation and 14% without supplemental maxillomandibular fixation (p > 0.05). No statistically significant outcome advantage could be attributed to the use of maxillomandibular fixation.

Conclusion: The current retrospective study shows no significant differences in treating isolated mandible fractures with open reduction and internal fixation and immediate release versus open reduction and internal fixation with 5-7 days of MMF.