Fixation of Mandibular Fractures with Lag Screw: Integrative Review

Abstract

Introduction: The mandible is the only movable bone of the face and plays a crucial role in masticatory, swallowing, phonation, and aesthetic functions. Mandibular fractures have the potential to cause numerous important changes. Angle, parasymphysis, body and condyle are the anatomical regions most affected by trauma. Rigid Internal Fixation (RIF) facilitated the process of treatment and recovery of mandibular functions. The Lag Screw fixation technique is based on the use of screws that manage to compress the bone fragments without the use of plates.
Objective: This integrative review aims to review the fixation of mandibular fractures using the Lag Screw technique.
Methods: Through a complete search in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases, nine articles that contemplated the method of fixation of mandibular fractures using the Lag Screw technique were included.
Results: The studies showed that the technique was associated with a lower number of intra and postoperative complications, provided safe RIF, greater compression between the stumps, facilitating primary bone healing, and presented a shorter surgical time, economic advantage. On the other hand, the technique proved to be sensitive and limited only to specific cases.
Conclusion: The application of the Lag Screw fixation technique is an effective and stable RIF method that can be performed in the treatment of mandibular fractures.