Symphyseal Mandibular Fractures Associated With Bicondylar Fractures: A Retrospective Analysis
Purpose
Achieving functional and anatomic restoration is remarkably difficult in patients with symphyseal mandibular fractures associated with bicondylar fractures. Our objective was to evaluate the functional and esthetic outcomes of a group of patients who underwent surgery using rigid fixation.
Patients and Methods
In our study, 25 patients with symphyseal mandibular fractures associated with bicondylar fractures surgically treated from 1998 to 2008 at the Division of Maxillofacial Surgery of the University of Turin were retrospectively analyzed. The standardized evaluation consisted of an evaluation of occlusion, assessment of mandibular motion, and esthetic evaluation of facial width.
Results
The patients showed good mandibular motion and good occlusion. After esthetic evaluation of the facial width of the 25 patients, 23 patients were rated as “excellent” or “good.”
Conclusion
Successful treatment of multiple mandibular fractures may be achieved by different techniques. The key point is the re-establishment of the transversal bigonial dimension by a correct reconstruction of the mandibular arch.
⁎Assistant Professor, Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, Head and Neck Department, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
†Resident, Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, Head and Neck Department, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
‡Assistant Professor, Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, Head and Neck Department, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Boffano: Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, Head and Neck Department, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti 14, 10126 Turin, Italy
ABSTRACT