Although there is a lack of extensive reports on
comminuted mandibular fractures, previous studies
have reported some surgical complications that
occurred after ORIF of comminuted mandibular
fractures. Iizuka et al reported an infection rate of
6.1% when using the AO/ASIF principle of rigid fixation. Kuriakose et al
compared ORIF using 2.7-mm
AO/ASIF reconstruction plates with miniplates, and a
substantial difference in the incidence of infection between the 2 groups was seen (30% with miniplates vs
14.3% with reconstruction plates). Scolozzi and
Richter reported a 3% infection rate when 2.4-mm
AO titanium reconstruction plates were applied to
treat severe mandibular fractures. In addition, the
preservation of bone fragments and the restoration
of mandibular shape were difficult to achieve by using
plates or screws.