Long-term evaluation of complications after osteosynthesis of the jaws in patients with head and neck trauma: an analysis from a German highest level trauma center 2007–2023

Abstract

Abstract We present an analysis of 388 patients with major complications of a total of 13,392 hospitalized patients after osteosynthesis from our Maxillofacial Trauma Registry, which has 13,392 patients from 2007 to 2023. This retrospective study aimed to provide a detailed overview of all moderate to severe complications in head and neck injuries after surgery. The AO system and the modified Clavien–Dindo classification serve as the basis for our clinical procedure (flow chart presented). The statistical analysis included descriptive methods and χ2-test. In seventeen years, the complication rate was 2.9% (Clavien–Dindo class II–V). More males were involved than females (3.04:1). The most complications were found in the mandibular angle, paramedian mandible, mandibular body, and lower condylar neck areas, as well as in frontal bone, zygomatic bone, and LeFort I fractures. Adequate treatment procedures allow a low complication rate. However, areas like the mandibular angle, paramedian mandible, lower condylar neck, Le Fort I fractures, or zygomatic bone fractures remain areas with higher risk of problems, which requires further research on necessary surgical methods.