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Rigid fixation techniques with absorbable plates and screws are recently utilized for the repair of craniofacial skeletal injuries or congenital anomalies. But no domestic literature are presented in treatments of mandible fracture. We present our early experience of absorbable plates and screws in fixation of mandible fracture. Eleven patients underwent fixation procedures for mandible fracture with absorbable plates and screws. Intraoperative stability was satisfactory in all cases. Significant problems, such as nonunion, malunion, delayed union and malocclusion from the use of absorbable plating system were not found, but there were two cases of localized inflammation. We also experienced advantages of absorbable plating system which are biodegradation, radiolucency and enough stability for reduction state. The use of absorbable plating system would eliminate potential effects on skeletal growth- restriction in child, problems associated with long- term palpability and visibility in X-ray, and cold sensitivity caused by traditional metal plating system. There are also several disadvantages of absorbable plates and screws. This plating system takes increased operative time and needs delicate technique relative to the traditional metal plating system. Nevertheless we concluded that absorbable plates and screws are good fixatives for mandibular fracture.
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