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

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.