Three-dimensional v/s standard titanium miniplate fixation in the management of mandibular fractures--a randomized clinical study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare treatment outcomes using three-dimensional and standard titanium miniplates in the management of mandibular fractures.


METHODS
A prospective study of 30 patients with mandibular fractures. Patients were randomly categorized into 2 groups with 15 patients in each group; patients in Group I were treated with 2.0 mm 3-dimensional titanium miniplate and screws and patients in Group II were treated with 2.0 mm standard plates and screws. Clinical parameters evaluated were: intra-operative assessment of reduction, intra-operative and post-operative assessment of stability of occlusion, mobility of fracture fragments and need for intermaxillary fixation. Radiographic parameters included pre-operative evaluation of displacement of fracture fragments and post-operative evaluation of bone union and plate fracture at different time intervals.


RESULTS
In Group I, 3 patients (20%) and in Group II, 8 patients (53%) had gap between fracture fragments during reduction. Six patients (40%) in Group I and 8 patients (53%) in Group II had mildly deranged occlusion on the 7th post-operative day. Two patients (13%) in Group I and 6 patients (40%) in Group II needed IMF till the end of the 1st month. No patients showed tissue dehiscence at the end of 1st and 3rd month post-operatively. Infection was not observed in any patient post-operatively. Five patients (33%) from Group I had displaced fracture fragments and 10 patients (67%) had severely displaced fracture fragments pre-operatively. Seven (47%) patients from Group II had displaced fracture fragments and 8 (53%) had severely displaced fracture fragments pre-operatively. Nine patients (60%) in Group I and 6 patients (40%) in Group II showed radiographic evidence of bone union after the 3rd month post-operatively.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of 3D miniplate is a viable option for fixation of mandibular fractures routinely. 3D titanium miniplates showed comparable results compared to standard titanium miniplates.
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (Head of Institution: Sreenivasa Murthy), M.S. Ramaiah Dental College & Hospital, M.S.R.I.T Post, Bangalore 560054, India. Electronic address: saumyasehgal@gmail.com.
Saumya
S
Sehgal
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (Head of Institution: Sreenivasa Murthy), M.S. Ramaiah Dental College & Hospital, M.S.R.I.T Post, Bangalore 560054, India.
Lalitha
L
Ramanujam
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (Head of Institution: Sreenivasa Murthy), M.S. Ramaiah Dental College & Hospital, M.S.R.I.T Post, Bangalore 560054, India.
Kavitha
K
Prasad
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (Head of Institution: Sreenivasa Murthy), M.S. Ramaiah Dental College & Hospital, M.S.R.I.T Post, Bangalore 560054, India.
Ranganath
R
Krishnappa
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001860:Bone Plates; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D014025:Titanium
3D plate; Mandibular fracture; Strut plate; Titanium miniplates