Mandibular Fracture Healing Research Articles

The relation of age to the immobilization period required for healing of mandibular fractures

In a prospective study of 256 mandibular fractures treated with maxillomandibular fixation it was found that most fractures in children needed only two weeks of immobilization, 75% of young healthy adults needed 3–4 weeks, and the elderly needed five weeks or more. The healing rate was similar at different sites except for the ramus where healing appeared to be quicker.

Experimental mandibular fracture: effect on bone circulation and metabolism after treatment with anticoagulants.

An experimental model was designed for the study of mandibular fracture healing in Sprague-Dawley rats. Healing and remodellation were studied by routine histology and the vascular supply of the mandible by micro-angiography. The blood supply to the body of the mandible was similar to that seen in long bones. The arterial vascular system appeared to be intimately involved with the formation of bone. The vessel configuration varied in relation to the progress of healing. The effect of heparin, dextran 40 and dextran 70 therapy to increase blood flow in the fracture region was tested. Dextrans had no effect on fracture healing whereas heparin induced an increased chondroid reaction in the callus. Serum alkaline phosphatase was measured as a marker for hard-tissue formation. The enzyme activity was reduced after fracture with a minimum activity three days after fracture.

Electrical stimulation of mandibular osteotomies in rabbits

The use of electrical stimulation to accelerate mandibular healing was studied in rabbits that had undergone bilateral mandibular slot osteotomies. Stimulation on the day of surgery and for 3 successive days thereafter (2 hours per day) produced accelerated healing as evaluated histologically 8 days after surgery. Stimulation during the entire postoperative period did not result in accelerated healing. Intermittent stimulation in the early postoperative period may be clinically useful for accelerating the healing of mandibular fractures.

Delayed healing of mandibular fracture in idiopathic myxedema

Lack of adequate amounts of thyroid hormone may interfere with healing. A patient in whom a fracture of the mandible failed to heal in the 2 years following surgical treatment is presented. When thyroid hormone supplementation was introduced, the fracture progressed to union. The physical findings of hypothyroidism and the role of thyroid hormone in healing are discussed.