title: Mandibular Angle Fractures: Comparison of One Miniplate vs. Two Miniplates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Monocortical miniplate fixation is an accepted and reliable method for internal fixation of mandibular angle fractures. Although placement of a second miniplate may theoretically provide more stability; however, the clinical importance of this issue remains controversial.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study assessed the postoperative complications and outcomes associated with the fixation of mandibular angle fractures using 1 and 2 miniplates in patients with favorable mandibular angle fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study of 87 patients (73 males, 14 females) with favorable mandibular angle fractures was done. In the first group, a 4-hole miniplate was placed at the superior border through an intraoral approach. In group 2, patients were treated with 2 miniplates, one placed at the superior border (similar to group 1) and the other on the lateral aspect of the angle at the inferior border through an intraoral and transcutaneous approach using a trocar. Postoperative complications including malocclusion, malunion and sensory disturbances associated with surgery, additional maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) by means of an arch bar and wires for a longer period (for delayed union) and infection were assessed in patients of both groups up to 12 months postoperatively. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the single miniplate group, 25 patients showed lip numbness associated with surgery (55.6%), 22 patients required additional use of MMF (48.9%) and 3 patients developed infections (6.7%). In the double miniplate group 20 patients showed lip numbness associated with surgery (47.6%), 18 patients required additional use of MMF (42.9%) and 1 patient developed infection (2.4%). None of the patients in either group showed malocclusion or malunion. No significant difference was observed between the groups regarding overall complication rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, use of one miniplate or two miniplates for treatment of favorable mandibular angle fractures was associated with a similar incidence of complications. Thus, it seems that the use of two miniplates in this setting may not be warranted, nor cost-efficient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Javad
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yazdani
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Kourosh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taheri Talesh
authors.affiliation: Trauma Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hosein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kalantar Motamedi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khorshidi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Yazd University of Medical Sciences,Yazd, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Sasan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fekri
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hajmohammadi
keywords: Complications; Mandibular Fractures; Osteosynthesis