Lag screw fixation of mandibular fractures

The lag screw is the simplest means of rigid internal fixation. By virtue of its ability to compress bone fragments without the use of a bone plate, it has wide application and achieves great stability. This article presents techniques to apply lag screws to fractures of the mandibular symphysis, the mandibular body, and the mandibular angle. Results are reviewed in studies of 315 patients whom the author has treated with lag screw fixation. The advantages of the lag screw technique over bone-plate fixation, such as a more rapid application, obviation of the need to adapt a bone plate, minimal displacement of bone segments, and the rapid application of fixation without diminishing the rigidity of the fracture reduction, are discussed, as are the technique's contraindications.