Seven-year retrospective clinical study evaluating efficacy of stainless steel mesh in mandibular fractures.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The use of titanium mesh in communited mandibular fractures has been substantially documented. However, the use of stainless steel mesh for routine fixation in mandibular fractures has not been widely reported. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of stainless steel mesh for routine osteosynthesis of mandibular fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A total of 252 patients who had been diagnosed with 287 single or multiple mandibular fractures at Guru Nanak Institute of Dental Science and Research from 2002 to 2009 were selected for the present study. Those with condylar fractures and other maxillofacial injuries were excluded from the study. The patients were evaluated preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively at 1 day, 6 weeks, and 3 and 6 months. The local complications, occlusion (for static function), and chewing (for dynamic function) were evaluated postoperatively.

RESULTS:

The intraoperative time taken for implant fixation (from site exposure to fixation of the last screw) was 32 minutes. Of the 252 patients, 40 (15.8%) had local complications and 24 patients required implant removal. Of the 252 patients, 82% had bilaterally satisfactory occlusion according to the surgeon at 6 months postoperatively. Discomfort in chewing unilaterally or bilaterally was reported by 17% of the patients.

CONCLUSION:

The results of our study have shown that stainless steel mesh has acceptable complication rates and the ability to maintain occlusion and chewing postoperatively compared with the present standards of care of mandibular fractures using miniplates. The lower cost and versatile placement of screws were the principal advantages. However, placement near the mental foramen with an extraoral approach for certain sites is the primary disadvantage.

• Authors: Sudip Chakraborty, Samiran Ghosh, Richi Burman, Amit Ray
• Journal: Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (J Oral Maxillofac Surg) Vol. 69 Issue 10 Pg. 2608-12 (Oct 2011) ISSN: 1531-5053 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21665343 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Dental Alloys
• Stainless Steel

Topics

• Accidents, Traffic (statistics & numerical data)
• Athletic Injuries
• Bone Screws
• Costs and Cost Analysis
• Dental Alloys
• Dental Occlusion
• Episode of Care
• Female
• Fracture Fixation, Internal (instrumentation)
• Fractures, Comminuted (surgery)
• Humans
• India
• Male
• Mandibular Fractures (pathology, surgery)
• Mastication
• Postoperative Complications
• Retrospective Studies
• Stainless Steel
• Surgical Mesh (economics)
• Violence (statistics & numerical data)