Use of lag screws for fractures of the mandibular body

Purpose: This article presents the results of treating fractures of the mandibular body using lag screws alone or lag screws inserted through bone plates. Patients and Methods: Thirty-one patients treated for fractures of the mandibular body using lag screws within a 5.5-year period were retrospectively studied for complications. Nine patients were treated with lag screws only and 22 with a lag screw inserted through a bone plate. No patient was placed into postsurgical maxillomandibular fixation. Results: There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications, except for one dental abscess. Conclusions: Lag screw fixation of mandibular body fractures is a reliable technique when these is sufficient obliquity of the fracture.