Intermaxillary transalveolar fixation for treatment of mandibular fractures

The author describes a technique for intermaxillary transalveolar fixation for management of mandibular fractures and discusses the results of treatment of 25 patients (19 male and 6 female) with 39 fractures (12 unilateral, 12 bilateral and 1 triple fracture). The technique was used as the only treatment (22 fractures in 14 patients) or in combination with intraosseous osteosynthesis by wires or miniplates (17 fractures in 11 patients). In comparison to traditional techniques the discussed method is simple and easy to implement, suitable for partially or totally edentulous patients. The indications for using this procedure as an alternative way of treating patients with inadequate dentition or edentulous jaws are presented.