Analysis of the risk factors influencing complications in surgical treatment of mandibular fractures: A retrospective study.

The study aim was to identify risk factors associated with complications following open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular fractures. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients who were treated for mandibular fractures in a single center between January 2010 and December 2020. Authors classified postoperative complications as overall complications, infections, and reoperations. Factors that may be associated with these complications were grouped as patient, wound, and management variables. Statistical analysis was performed to determine whether these factors influenced complications. Among 175 patients, 125 underwent open reduction and internal fixation. Among patient variables, alcohol consumption was a risk factor for overall complications (p = 0.03) and reoperation (p = 0.02). Among wound variables, the more severe the external wound, the greater the incidence of overall complications (p = 0.001) and infections (p < 0.001). Presence of two or more fracture sites was a risk factor for reoperation (p = 0.038). Among management variables, intraoral and extraoral approaches increased the rates of overall complications, infections, and reoperation. In the multivariate analysis, only intraoral and extraoral approaches were associated with significant risks for overall complications (OR = 5.63, p = 0.017) and infections (OR = 11.53, p = 0.005). Alcohol consumption, external wound severity, multiple fracture site, and incision approach were related to postoperative complications. These findings can help guide surgical decisions and manage patient expectations after surgery.