The pathogenesis of posttraumatic deformities of the mandible in the growing organism

: Experiments on developing animals showed that mandibular fractures of any location can be complicated by pronounced growth disorders and abnormal development of mandibular bone, leading to deformations of the site of fracture. Abnormal mandibular development was particularly obvious after injuries to the condyle and condylar process, after fractures of mandibular body and angle with dissection of the neurovascular bundle, and in cases with osteomyelitis. Disorders in endochondral bone formation (which is normally most active in the condyle) caused by traumatic processes and disorders in neurotrophic regulation and blood supply to the bone, developing in neurovascular obstruction, underlie the mechanisms of posttraumatic mandibular deformations. These complications were observed in patients with fractures of different sites because of improper joining and fixation of fragments. Children should be regularly checked up after mandibular fractures. Measures aimed at prevention of growth disorders and development of mandibular bone lesions are obligatory at all stages of examination.