Mandibular-fracture repair in monkeys.

Experimental studies on repair of mandibular fractures in large animals have been limited, often by a lack of standardized and reproducible models and methods. Several authors studying methods and technics for mandibular-fracture immobilization in dogs have noted that intermaxillary fixation is not necessary for fracture healing.'-6 Conversely, other investigators have observed a high degree of nonunion and infection under similar experimental conditions.7'8 Because of the limited numbers of experimental animals used, conflicting results also have been noted by authors studying mandibular-fracture repair in rhesus monkeys.9-'2 The purpose of this investigation was to develop standardized methodology to study the many variables associated with mandibular-fracture repair. Studies were designed to evaluate the effect on healing of intraoral and extraoral surgical procedures, immobilization technics, and methods of fracture production in monkeys.