Management of Pediatric Mandibular Fractures Using Resorbable Plates

Area of Science:

• Craniofacial Surgery
• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Limited large-scale data exists on resorbable plates for pediatric mandible fractures.
• Existing studies suggest promising outcomes but lack comprehensive safety and complication analysis.
• Need for evidence-based guidance in clinical management of these fractures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a systematic review of outcomes for resorbable plates in pediatric mandible fractures.
• To establish a global consensus on the efficacy and complication rates.
• To provide evidence-based data for clinical decision-making.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of clinical studies on resorbable plates for pediatric mandible fractures.
• Analysis of outcomes including infection, hardware failure, exposure, malocclusion, reoperation, and nonunion.
• Pooling and stratification of complication rates by fracture and implant type.

Main Results:

• Ten studies included 232 patients with 269 fractures; mean follow-up was 1.03 years.
• Overall complication rate was 5.2%, with infection (1.7%) and hardware exposure (1.29%) being most common.
• Multiple fractures showed higher complication rates (12.5%) than isolated fractures (1.7%); no hardware failure or nonunion reported.

Conclusions:

• Resorbable plates are a viable option for pediatric mandible fractures, with complication rates comparable to metallic implants.
• This review provides an evidence-based reference for craniofacial surgeons in managing these fractures.
• The findings support informed consent and guide clinical decision-making in pediatric mandibular fracture treatment.