Evaluation of postoperative complications following management of mandibular fractures with open reduction & internal fixation under regional anaesthesia: A retrospective study

Aim: To assess the rate of postoperative complications and its association with respect to aetiology, gender, age, time lapse between injury and commencement of treatment, history of substance abuse, number and location of the fractures in mandibular fracture patients treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) under regional anaesthesia. Materials and method: All patients fulfilling the selection criteria with mandible fracture reporting to our institution, from March 2017 to August 2021, were included in the study and were divided into three groups based on anatomic site involved. Patient’s records were analysed for deriving complications that occurred during the postoperative period of ORIF andassociation with different variables. The values were subjected to Chi-square tests. Results: Out of 160 study population, patients with combined Para symphysis involving angle (Group C) were reported with the highest number of complications such as minor occlusal discrepancies (20.4%), surgical site infection (4.1%), wound dehiscence and paraesthesia (4.1%) as compared to fractures involving symphysis & para symphysis region (Group A and Group B respectively). Conclusion: The most common postoperative complication in this study was surgical site infection which can be managed effectively with local wound care, antibiotics and can be prevented with aseptic technique