LAG-SCREW FIXATION OF MANDIBULAR PARASYMPHYSEAL AND ANGLE FRACTURES

Objective. This study was carried out to evaluate clinical and radiolo gic results after lag-screw fixation (LSF) of mandibular parasymphysea l and angular fractures was performed. Study design. Seven angle and 1 7 parasymphyseal fractures in 23 adult patients with mandibular fractu res were treated by transoral reduction and LSF. Clinical and radiolog ic examinations were undertaken during a 3-month follow-up period Resu lts. All parasymphyseal fractures and four angular fractures went to g ood bone union after surgery. Infectious complications occurred in two patients with parasymphyseal fractures. These resolved with simple pr ocedures. Three angular fractures needed refixing because of instabili ty. Slight occlusal adjustment was needed in five patients. Postoperat ive neurosensory deficits were transient in every case in which they w ere seen. Conclusions. LSF of mandibular parasymphyseal fractures is a practical and effective way of fixing such fractures internally. II l eads to good bone healing without permanent neurosensory deficit or in creased risk of malocclusion. In mandibular angle fractures LSF is lik ely to be too technique-sensitive to allow its extensive use.