Pa. Perry et Mh. Goldberg, Late mandibular fracture after third molar surgery: A survey of Connecticut oral and maxillofacial surgeons, J ORAL MAX, 58(8), 2000, pp. 858-861
Purpose: This study investigated the incidence and causative factors involv
ed in late mandibular fractures after third molar surgery.
Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 106 oral and maxillofaci
al surgeons in Connecticut, asking them about their experience with late fr
actures over a 10-year period.
Results: A 79% response indicated 28 fractures occurring in 611,000 extract
ions, for an incidence of 0.0046%. The cause was found to be multifactorial
and included age, gender, type of impaction, preexisting infection, and fa
ilure to maintain a soft diet in the postoperative period. Most fractures o
ccurred between the Ist and 21st days postoperatively. Three of the fractur
es resulted in malpractice litigation.
Conclusion: Men over the age of 25 years should be specifically informed ab
out the risk of late mandible fracture after third molar surgery. This grou
p of patients should be educated about the quality and duration of a soft d
iet. (C) 2000 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.