TREATMENT OF COMPOUND COMMINUTED MANDIBULAR FRACTURES

하악골 복합 분쇄 골절의 치험례

Compound comminuted mandibular fracture is defined as the presence of multiple fracture lines with open wound resulting in many small pieces within the same area. The incidence of mandibular comminution is difficult to determine but reported as 2.7~18.6 % incidence among mandibular fractures. There are controversies in the treatment of mandibular comminuted fractures. Treatment of comminuted mandibular fracture has traditionally involved closed reduction in an effort to avoid stripping periostcum from the bony segments, but rigid internal rigid fixation is used more popular at present. The extent of comminution, displacement of bony fragments and patient general conditions are important factors in decision of the treatment methods. When significant bone displacement is present, it is necessary to reduce these comminuted fragments to an anatomic, pretraumatic relationship to restore facial form and function. In these cases, ORIF allows anantomic reduction of comminuted segments as well as pretraumatic occlusion. Gentle handling of the soft tissue, rigid fixation of bony fragments and adequate immobilization are essential for reducing the complications. This is the report the incidence, causes, complications and treatment of the patients who visited our department for compound comminuted mandibular fractures.