Primary temporary AO plate reconstruction of the mandible

This study assessed the incidence of complications and revisions after primary temporary AO plate reconstructions of the mandible performed from 1971 through 1996.

In a retrospective record review, the data of 51 patients undergoing primary temporary AO plate reconstructions after composite mandibular resection were analyzed according to age, gender, date of reconstruction, anatomic location of reconstruction, use of additional radiotherapy and/or flap surgery, and incidence of associated complications and revisions.

Associated complications and revisions accompanying primary temporary AO plate reconstructions were evaluated through use of the incidence rates of associated complications (IACs) and revisions (IARs), which are reported as the numbers of associated complications and revisions, respectively, per 100 patients. Of the entire sample, the highest incidence rate of associated complications was associated with infection (33.5); this was followed by the rates for plate exposure (27.9) and plate fracture (10.7). With an overall incidence rate of 38.3 revisions per 100 patients, the corresponding site-related incidence rates of associated revisions were found to be 55.0 for reconstructions of the anterior mandible crossing the midline, 37.1 for those of the body segment of the mandible, and 31.1 for reconstructions involving the ramus and/or condyle area of the mandible. Revision rates were observed to be significantly higher in irradiated (53.6 vs 31.5) and non-flap-added reconstructions (43.2 vs 24.8). Analysis of treatment group-related incidences revealed irradiated non-flap-added reconstructions to be associated with the highest failure rates, whereas additional flap surgery resulted in a significant reduction in complications (50.0 vs 108.0) and revisions (20.0 vs 65.7).

This study showed primary temporary AO plate reconstructions after composite mandibular resection to be associated with a high rate of complications and revisions. The results emphasize the need to relate outcome measures to site-related and treatment-related parameters.