COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH SURGICAL TREATMENT OF FACIAL FRACTURES

Tanja Boljevic; Srbislav Pajic; Miroljub Todorovic; Sanja Jovanovic; Ana Stankovic; Maja Dordevic

Volume : VII, Issue : VII, July - 2018

COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH SURGICAL TREATMENT OF FACIAL FRACTURES

Tanja Boljevic, Srbislav Pajic, Miroljub Todorovic, Sanja Jovanovic, Ana Stankovic, Maja Dordevic

Abstract :

Introduction: Compared to other maxillofacial fractures, mandibular fractures are more commonly associated with complications. Among them, open reduction is the only significant variable due to increased risk of infection.

Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the postoperative complications associated with mandibular, maxillary and midface fracture treatment in patients treated with open reduction using miniplate fixation.

Method: In this prospective study, 104 patients with mandibular, maxillary and zygomatic bone fracture were treated with plate osteosynthesis. Postoperative complications were monitored.

Results: In 31 patients (29.8%) out of the 104 patients with facial fracture,infection was the most common postoperative complication affecting 12 patients (11.5%),actually 38.7% compared to the total number of complications. Infections only occurred after the mandibular operation, but no maxillary or zygomatic fractures became infected. Removal of plates was performed in 8 patients (7.7%), for reasons other than infection. Occlusion problems occurred with 7 patients (6.7%) and maltreated fractures with 4 patients (3.9%). The overall percentage of complications was higher than expected, but still the same as in other studies.

Conclusion: The most frequent postoperative complications of facial bone fractures were infections. Infections occurred with the mandible, while no zygomatic bones and maxilla became infected. The interval between the occurrence of the injury and surgical fixation is not associated with the development of complications in fractures.