Use of straight and curved 3-dimensional titanium miniplates for fracture fixation at the mandibular angle.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this follow-up study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of a new type of 3-dimensional (3D) miniplate for open reduction and monocortical fixation of mandibular angle fractures.


METHODS
In 20 consecutive patients, noncomminuted mandibular angle fractures were treated with open reduction and fixation using a 2 mm 3D miniplate system in a transoral approach. All patients were systematically monitored until 6 months postoperatively. Among the outcome parameters recorded were infection, hardware failure, wound dehiscence, and sensory disturbance of the inferior alveolar nerve.


RESULTS
The mean operation time from incision to wound closure was 65 minutes. Two patients had a mucosal wound dehiscence with no consequences. None developed an infection requiring a plate removal. All but 2 patients had normal sensory function 3 months after surgery. Plate fracture occurred in one patient in whom a preceding surgical removal of the third molar had been the reason for the mandibular fracture. In the absence of clinical symptoms, the patient declined plate removal. On final follow-up, fracture healing was considered clinically complete in all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The 3D plating system described here is suitable for fixation of simple mandibular angle fractures and is an easy-to-use alternative to conventional miniplates. The system may be contraindicated in patients in whom insufficient interfragmentary bone contact causes minor stability of the fracture.
Zix
Juergen
J
Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. juergen.zix@insel.ch
Lieger
Olivier
O
Iizuka
Tateyuki
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000009:adverse effects; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008904:Miniaturization; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology