title: The effect of an interfragmentary gap on the clinical outcome after mandibular angle fracture surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The mandibular angle fracture occasionally widens at the lower border after surgery using a single miniplate. However, the effects of an interfragmentary gap have not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of gaps caused by mandibular angle fracture surgery using a single superior border miniplate technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, the interfragmentary gap was measured by panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) postoperatively. The width of the gap measured by panoramic radiography and CBCT scans was compared. The patients were divided into two groups based on the gap width (more or less than 1.5 mm). In CBCT scans, bucco-lingual displacement of the proximal segment was evaluated. Clinical results and complication rates were investigated according to the gap and displacement. The findings were statistically analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-two patients were included in the study. The mean interfragmentary gap widths were 1.56 ± 0.83 mm by panoramic radiography and 2.12 ± 0.87 mm by CBCT scans. CBCT measured a gap width of approximately 0.5 mm wider than panoramic radiography (P = 0.001). Twenty-two patients (68.8%) had an interfragmentary gap width of >1.5 mm, and ten patients (31.2%) had a gap width of <1.5 mm. All patients had favorable occlusion at the last clinical examination. There were no statistically significant differences in intermaxillary fixation periods and complication rates (P > 0.05). One patient in the wider gap group experienced pain in the temporomandibular joint when opening the mouth. Six patients (18.8%) had lingual displacement of the proximal fragment. Displacement did not significantly influence the complication rate (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of an interfragmentary gap after mandibular angle fracture surgery did not affect the clinical outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jin-Yong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Chang-Hwa
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Woo-Yul
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hyeon-Min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic
keywords: complication; mandibular angle fractures; maxillofacial trauma