125 The Fate of The Third Molar in The Line of a Mandibular Angle Fracture: A Retrospective Study at A Tertiary Centre. (4th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dattani, A; Aslam, A; McMillan, K
• Is Part Of: British journal of surgery. Volume 108(2021)Supplement 2
• Publication Date: 2021-05-04
• Subjects: Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znab134.533
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1323

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: To evaluate the risk of complications associated with retaining or extracting an asymptomatic third molar in the line of an angle fracture. Aiming to seek a consensus whether third molars should be extracted or retained during surgical repair of mandibular angle fractures. Method: A retrospective study was undertaken at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. 150 patients across a span of three years underwent open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular angle fractures with third molar involvement. Patients were classified into two groups, tooth retention during angle fracture and tooth removal during angle fracture repair. Hospital records were evaluated to seek the rate of post-operative complications at follow-up Results: 162 angle fractures were identified with ipsilateral wisdom teeth present. In 37 cases the wisdom tooth was removed during surgery. 6 complications (16.2%) occurred in this group necessitating a return to theatre. In 125 cases the wisdom tooth was left in-situ. Complications necessitating a return to theatre occurred in 14 cases (11.1%). Conclusions: This study indicates that retention of wisdom tooth overall did not significantly increase the risk of complications associated with angle fractures (p = 0.42). Where wisdom tooth pathology was noted its retention was associated with complications requiring a return to theatre (X 2 =4.40, p = 0.036).