[Our experience with mandibular fractures].

The authors relate on their own experience concerning etiology, diagnosis and treatment of mandibular fractures. 320 patients (252 males and 68 females) aged between 6 and 82 years with posttraumatic fractures of the mandible, 188 with a single and 132 with multiple fractures, underwent surgical and/or orthopedic treatment. Interosseous wiring and seldom application of metallic plates were the preferred techniques when surgery was performed. Intermaxillary fixation was carried out when the orthopedic treatment was needed. Often both methods were associated. In 10% of the condylar fractures the condyle has been removed. Functional results were excellent and no serious complications could be observed. In 11% of the cases with condylar fractures some limitation of the mandibular movements could be observed, while when condyles were not involved malocclusion could be observed in 3% of the cases. The authors discuss upon etiology, by comparing their own with other experiences, upon diagnosis, which does not seem difficult if adequate radiological investigations are carried out; finally they relate briefly on the advantages and disadvantages of the different surgical and non surgical techniques. Based on their experience they conclude that interosseous wiring and, in selected cases, the application of metallic plates, using an external approach, mostly associated with intermaxillary fixation, represent a safe and adequate treatment for almost every fracture of the mandible.