Repair of mandibular fractures via compression plating and more traditional techniques: a comparison of results

To evaluate the results of compression plating in the repair of mandibular fractures, a retrospective analysis of mandibular fractures repaired at Upstate Medical Center in the past 3 years was performed. Only patients treated as inpatients were included. A total of 68 cases were reviewed, and follow-up data were available in 59. Of these, 18 had been repaired using A-O compression plating techniques, and the remaining 41 were treated using interosseous wiring, intermaxillary fixation, external fixation, soft diet, or any combination of these. Nonunion and malocclusion were considered major complications, while all other complications were considered minor. Using these criteria, there were no major complications in fractures treated with compression plates, and there were 6 minor complications in 4 patients (22% of patients). Using the more traditional techniques, there were 13 major complications, 6 malocclusions and 7 non-unions, or an incidence of 32%, and 5 minor complications in 4 patients (10% of patients). These findings suggest that compression plating is a useful and highly effective technique for repair of mandibular fractures. The technique generally obviates intermaxillary fixation and dental splints, particularly in the edentulous patient. The main disadvantage is the need for 2 open procedures.