Experience in a Standardized Algorithm for Surgical Treatment of Patients with Mandibular Fractures

Background. In recent decades, new surgical technologies for the treatment of patients with mandibular fractures have been introduced into clinical practice. However, the incidence of complications still remains high, practically not differing from the values 30 years ago. According to the Russian Dental Association, the incidence of complications is 15–19%. Probably, the introduction of rules governing the use of new methods of treatment can change the current situation for general clinical practice. Aims — to evaluate the effectiveness of the algorithm for the surgical treatment of patients with mandibular fractures, developed on the basis of clinical observations and biomechanical studies, based on significant clinical material. Methods. A retrospective study over a 3-year period of medical records of inpatients with mandibular fractures and their complications was carried out, in the surgical treatment of which, in the conditions of the basic clinic, the surgical algorithm developed by the authors was used. Results. Case histories of 442 patients who met the search criteria were examined. In terms of the composition of the patients included in the study group, it reflects a typical picture for this type of injury, which is typical for domestic clinical practice. The incidence of postoperative complications was 4.1% (of which accompanied by a prolongation of treatment — 2% of cases). Conclusion. The results of this work showed that the real percentage of complications in patients with injuries of the lower jaw can be significantly reduced due to strict compliance with the requirements of the algorithm, which was shown by a retrospective analysis of medical records of inpatients over a three-year period, reflecting the results of treatment of a significant number of patients. The data obtained can serve as the basis for appropriate multicenter clinical trials.