Factors associated with the diagnosis, aetiology, and treatment of mandibular fractures occurring during the postoperative period following the removal of a lower third molar are discussed. The following databases were searched using specific key words: PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, Embase, and Scopus. The search yielded 124 cases. Sex, age, side, tooth position and angulation, bone impaction, relationship between the tooth and the inferior alveolar nerve, local pathological conditions, aetiology of the fracture, symptomatology, and time between surgery and fracture, as well as any displacement of the fracture and the treatment of the fracture, were evaluated. Data were tabulated and the χ statistical test was applied (P<0.05). Male patients aged >35 years, with teeth in positions II/III and B/C, complete bony impaction, and local bone-like alterations, were found to have a higher frequency of fracture and pericoronitis (P<0.05). Late fractures generally occurred between the second and fourth postoperative weeks (P<0.05). They were generally not displaced and the typical treatment was the non-surgical approach (P<0.05). It is concluded that the risk of mandibular fracture after extraction is associated with excessive ostectomy and/or local alterations. At-risk patients should be thoroughly briefed on the importance of a proper postoperative diet.

Bone reconstruction in craniofacial surgery is a challenge for surgeons, who most commonly adopt the autogenous bone grafting and alloplastic implants in such procedures. Among the alloplastic materials, the high-density porous polyethylene is highlighted-Medpor (Medpor, Porex Surgical Inc, Newman, GA), considered to be pure polyethylene, with only 1 manufacturing process and standard pore size. The purpose of the current study has been to present through a review of literature and the types of complications derived from the use of Medpor in craniomaxillofacial bone surgery. A specific and sensitive database was initially created via PubMed, focusing on studies published in English peer-reviewed journals between 2004 and 2014, including case reports, experimental studies in humans, and prospective and retrospective studies. Forty articles were found at PubMed database. After analyzing their abstracts, 19 were selected, totaling 1453 patients and 121 complications, being the most commonly reported diplopia with 56 patients and infection with 6 patients. Most of the complications reported in the articles used for the development of the current review are not directly related to the use of the Medpor implant. The only complications directly related to the use of this biomaterial were cases of infection.

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