Factors associated with plate fractures in mandibular reconstruction

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Mandibular plate fracture (MPF) is a significant complication following mandibular reconstruction.
• This can lead to increased patient morbidity and necessitate revision surgeries.
• Virtual surgical planning (VSP) and patient-specific reconstruction plates are emerging as solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review patient-related and surgical factors contributing to MPF.
• To highlight strategies for minimizing MPF in mandibular reconstruction.
• To assess the role of VSP and patient-specific plates in improving outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on mandibular reconstruction and MPF.
• Analysis of patient-related factors (e.g., age, occlusion).
• Analysis of surgical factors (e.g., defect type, coronoidectomy, plate type).

Main Results:

• Patient factors: younger age and occlusion degree are linked to MPF.
• Surgical factors: lateral defects, no coronoidectomy, and bridging plates without bone grafts increase risk.
• VSP and patient-specific plates show promise in reducing MPF.

Conclusions:

• Surgeons should identify high-risk patients for close monitoring.
• VSP and patient-specific plates offer benefits for mandibular reconstruction outcomes.
• Further research is needed on the long-term efficacy of these advanced reconstruction plates.