The second Chalmers J. Lyons academy study of fractures of the edentulous mandible

A review of 167 fractures in 104 edentulous mandibles treated by several surgeons using a variety of methods was undertaken. Most patients (81.5%) had open reduction and internal fixation using bone plates. Problems in healing, either delayed or fibrous union, occurred in 21 of 167 fractures (12.6%) in 16 of 104 patients (15%). One fourth of patients treated by closed reduction techniques had problems with union, whereas extraoral open reduction with bone plate fixation produced very good results. The factors involved in treating these challenging fractures is discussed and comparisons are made with the previous Chalmers J. Lyons Academy study.