Complications Associated with Intra Oral Cortical Bone Fixation Screws for Intermaxillary Fixation in Closed Reduction of Mandibular Fractures

The objects of this study were to determine the rate of complications associated with Intra Cortical Bone Fixation Screws for Inter-maxillary fixation (IMF) and as a possible alternative to Arch-Bars in patients with un-displaced mandibular fractures. A descriptive case series study involving 25 adult patients (age range: 16-60 years) and requiring intra cortical bone fixation screws IMF was conducted from 1st August 2011 to 30th April 2012) at the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital / Karachi Medical and Dental College (KMDC) Karachi. The sampling technique was non-probability purposive. Clinical examination and radiograph 1-OPG (Ortho-Pentomogram), 2-PA View of Face were taken for confirmation of un-displaced mandibular fractures. Patients with pre-existing mental nerve injury and / or soft tissue infection were excluded from the study. IMF was done with using intra cortical bone fixation screws, patients were followed over 6-weeks period at regular weekly interval. Postoperative frequencies of complication including mental nerve injury and soft tissue infection were recorded at review. Overall complications were in (3) 12% patients. The distribution of the various complications were; soft tissue infection in (1) 4% and mental nerve injury in (2) 8% patients. The high proportion of 12 % complications including those related to nerve injury suggests appropriate selection of both the patients and size of Intra oral cortical bone fixation screw (ICBFS) as well as the use of this technique by surgeons having expertise and skills in the technique.