A prospective randomized clinical trial comparing 2.0-mm locking plates to 2.0-mm standard plates in treatment of mandible fractures.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare standard 2.0-mm monocortical plates to 2.0-mm locking plates in the treatment of mandible fractures.


METHODS
A prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA, from January 1, 2002, to February 1, 2003, to compare 2.0-mm locking plates to 2.0-mm standard plates in treating consecutive mandible fractures. Patients were randomly assigned to receive locking 2.0-mm plates (group A) or nonlocking 2.0-mm plates (group B). Complications were divided into major and minor categories. Each complication was analyzed according to which plate was used and where the fracture occurred. The number of days from injury to operation, average age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification,compliance, and social habits were all reviewed.


RESULTS
Ninety patients with 122 fractures met the inclusion criteria. Sixty-four fracture sites were treated with locking plates and 58 with standard plates. A total of 6 complications occurred: 2 occurred at the angle, 3 at the parasymphysis, and 1 at the body. Three complications occurred in the locking group and 3 in the standard group with complication rates equaling 4.6% and 5.2%, respectively. When comparing the overall complication rates according to plates used, the Fisher exact test showed no statistically significant difference between the locking and standard plates (P = .90). The 95% confidence interval for the odds ratio is from 0.1 to 7.


CONCLUSIONS
Mandible fractures treated with 2.0-mm locking plates and standard 2.0-mm plates present similar short-term complication rates.
Collins
Chad P
CP
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Washington School of Dentistry, Seattle 98195-7134, USA.
Pirinjian-Leonard
Galia
G
Tolas
Andrew
A
Alcalde
Rafael
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000009:adverse effects; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors