Al. Soderholm et al., LONG-TERM STABILITY OF 2 DIFFERENT MANDIBULAR BRIDGING SYSTEMS, Archives of otolaryngology, head & neck surgery, 119(9), 1993, pp. 1031-1036
To evaluate the benefits of narrow-beam roentgenography and spiral tom
ography for examination and monitoring of screw and plate fixation to
bone we studied 22 rigid plate bridgings of mandibular defects. The pl
ate reconstructions were of long duration or considered permanent. In
13 patients, AO-THORP (AO: Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen
; THORP: Titanplasma-beschichteten Hohl- und Vollkern-Rekonstruktionsp
latten-Systems) reconstructions were used and in nine classic AO stain
less steel plate bridgings. With the AO-THORP system, good bone apposi
tion to the screws was evident in 96% (73/76 screws) of the cases. Fix
ation using the classic AO screws, however, was inadequate in 30% (20/
66 screws) of the cases. Plate loosening was noted in 56% (5/9 plates)
. Examination using narrow-beam roentgenography and spiral tomography
provided detailed information about bone resorption around the screws
and provided a reliable tool for deciding on a follow-up regimen. When
complications occur, they can be detected and treated early, reducing
patient morbidity. In our opinion, classic AO plate bridging should a
lways be considered temporary.