Rigid internal fixation of mandibular fractures using autologous bone grafts: the autologous bone plate

The mandible is the second most commonly fractured part of the maxillofacial skeleton because of its position and prominence. Over the past three decades, many different techniques and approaches have been described in the literature to surgically correct facial fractures. The present study has attempted to study the role of bone grafts in open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular fractures. Fourteen patients with mandibular fracture were considered for the study from August 2006 to August 2008. Autologous bone grafts were used for rigid fixation of these fractures in all the cases. Patients presenting with unilateral fractures of the body of the mandible were considered and enrolled for rigid internal fixation using autologous bone grafts. Fourteen patients were included in the study of which 11 were males and the rest were females. The average age at presentation was 30.4 years (18-62 years). Unicortical outer table parietal calvarial bone graft was used in all patients. The size of bone graft harvested ranged from 55×20 mm to 60× 20 mm. Autologous calvarial bone graft harvested from the outer table appears to be a safe, cheaper, and effective alternative to miniplates in selected cases of mandibular fractures. © Springer-Verlag 2010.