[AO and miniplate osteosynthesis of the mandible in an 8-year comparison].

During a period of 8 years (1986-1994) we treated 183 patients with mandibular fractures. Within this period we changed our treatment protocol from the rigid internal fixation (AO/ASIF method) to monocortical noncompression miniplates. The complications of 127 AO/ASIF cases versus 41 miniplate cases were studied. Complications mostly consisted in dehiscences. Comparing the two methods we found more complications (19.5%) when the AO plate is applicated via an intraoral approach. After extraoral AO treatment and after monocortical miniplates there was no significant difference concerning our complications (8.1% versus 7.3%).