Bilateral iatrogenic fracture of the jaw during the removal of third molars: Rare case report.

Abstract

Mandibular third molar (M3) removal is a routine surgical procedure that can generate a variety of complications, one of the rarest of which is mandibular fracture. The aim of this paper is to report a rare case of bilateral fracture of the jaw during the extraction of mandibular third molars. A 42-year-old woman complained of mandibular pain and malocclusion after the removal of the M3s. The physical examination revealed bone crepitation mandibular bilaterally. Computed tomography confirmed bilateral fracture of the jaw. The patient was submitted to the reduction and fixation of the fractures under general anesthesia, followed by the improvement in the postoperative period. Bilateral mandibular fracture resulting from M3 extractions is a rare occurrence that may be caused by a lack of surgical skill and a flawed diagnosis. The proper, immediate correction could lead to the interruption of the procedure at the time of the first fracture, thereby avoiding the contralateral fracture. Key words:Molar surgery, mandibular fracture, complication.