Pathological fractures of the mandible: A report of ten cases and a review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction: Pathological fractures of the mandible are rare. They account for approximately 2% of all mandibular fractures. The main purpose of the study is to report our experience concerning this condition and to analyse data and review the literature available. Material and methods: This study reviewed retrospectively the records of patients who presented to the department of Plastic and Maxillofacial surgery between 2000 and 2008 with a pathological fracture of the mandible. The collected data included age, sex, mechanism of injury, aetiology, anatomic site of fracture, treatment and complications. Results: There were 10 patients with an average age of 48 years and 10 months. There were three cases of fracture due to a local malignancy, two cases of osteoradionecrosis, two cases of mandibular cysts, one patient presenting a mandibular histiocytosis, one patient with a metastatic carcinoma (Thyroid), and one case related to mandibular atrophy. Most common mechanisms of injury were chewing and falls. Pathological fractures were often located in the body of the mandible. A surgical approach was performed in most cases. Conclusion: Surgical management of pathological fractures of the mandible depends largely on the aetiology. Complications occur more often because of local condition and bad oral hygiene.

Treatment of pathologic fracture following postoperative radiation therapy: clinical study

“…Coletti and Orb also reported that in the few cases in which sufficient bone was left to buttress the fracture, traditional fracture reduction with rigid fixation was employed. As a result, if the potential for bone healing exists, traditional rigid fixation rather than bone resection is recommended [ 1 , 11 , 12 ].…”