Resorbable plates for fixation of complicated mandibular fractures in children

The purpose of this article was to review our experience in the treatment of complicated mandibular fractures in children using resorbable plates.

Records of 14 patients who sustained and presented to our department with complicated fractures of the mandible, and were treated with resorbable plates were retrieved. Permission was sought from and granted by the institution ethical committee. Data extracted included patients' gender, age, etiology of fracture, nature of fracture and site of the fracture.

Of the 14 patients, there were 10 males and 4 females with a male to female (M:F) ratio of 2.5:1. Their ages ranged from 6 to 15 years, with a mean of 10.14 years. The etiology of the fractures included road traffic accidents (n = 11) and falls (n = 3). Most of the fractures were sustained on the body of the mandible. Majority of the patients had displacement of the fracture segments; 2 patients had comminuted fractures. All the fractures were treated using resorbable plates and healed uneventfully.

Whereas the number of patients in this case series was small, it is worth noting that children sometimes present with complicated fractures of the mandible, thereby necessitating open reduction and internal fixation. Resorbable plates when available and affordable, are an effective option for open reduction and internal fixation of such fractures.