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Review
. 2025 Apr 29;14(9):3061.
doi: 10.3390/jcm14093061.

Use of External Fixator Device for Mandible Fracture Related to War Injury: A Systematic Review

Franck Masumbuko  1   2 , Gregory Reychler  3 , Olivier Cornu  4 , Caroline Huart  5 , Jean Cyr Yombi  6 , Raphael Olszewski  2   7   8
Affiliations
Review

Use of External Fixator Device for Mandible Fracture Related to War Injury: A Systematic Review

Franck Masumbuko et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Background/Objectives: In maxillo-facial high-velocity complex war injuries, a rigid internal fixation is inappropriate, and external fixation is suitable with described benefits. This systematic review aimed to summarize the literature regarding the benefits, side effects and complications of external fixators in the management of mandibular war-related injuries. Methods: An electronic search was performed in the databases of PubMed and Google Scholar in December 2024. The title and abstracts from retrieved items were read by two reviewers to identify studies within the selection criteria. Included articles had to be published in English up to December 2024 and related to external fixators used in mandibular fracture war injuries. Results: The search strategy initially identified 445 studies through PubMed and 987 studies through Google Scholar. Following the application of inclusion criteria, 12 articles were selected for this review, describing the use of an external fixator for a mandibular fracture in a war injury. Conclusions: The external fixator offers effective treatment for severe mandibular fractures in war-related injuries with low rates of complications and high success rates. Where a manufacturer external fixator is not available, orthopedic external fixators and self-crafted external fixators are used.

Keywords: external fixator; mandibular fracture; war injuries.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA flow-chart summarizes the search strategy used to make the final selection of publications for review.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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