Open reduction with internal fixation for mandibular fracture of 98-year-old female with severe atrophic mandible: Report of a case

Atrophic edentulous mandibular fractures occur primarily in elderly population. Elderly patients who are more than 80 years old have risks for general anesthesia because of degradation of biological function. Recently, drugs and medical instruments have been developed and appliance for general anesthesia has also improved. We had the experience of a case where we had to carry out open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF) under general anesthesia for a 98-year-old female with severe atrophic mandible to improve her functional disability and acquire a faster recovery. Osteosynthesis was carried out using 2.8. mm Mandibular Recon Plate (Stryker Osteosynthesis, Friburg, Germany). She made a good recovery and there were no complications. There was no relapse or complications during 17 months of follow-up so that she could reach the age of 100 years.