"A comparative evaluation between single noncompression titanium miniplate and three dimensional titanium miniplate in treatment of mandibular angle fracture"--a randomized prospective study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare efficacy between the single non-compression titanium miniplate and single three-dimensional titanium miniplate in mandibular angle fracture treatment.

Method And Materials: A prospective study of 20 patients with mandibular angle fractures. Patients were randomly categorized into two groups with 10 patients in each group. Group-I patients were treated with single 2.0mm conventional titanium miniplate, Group-II patients were treated with single 2.0mm three-dimensional titanium miniplate according to Champy's principles. Parameters such as stability of fracture fragments, occlusion, mouth opening, additional fixation required and complications were evaluated at different time intervals.

Results: In Group-I, about 40% (n=4) of patients showed unstable fracture fragments on immediate postoperative day whereas in Group-II only 10% (n=1) of patients with fracture instability. In Group-I, 30% (n=3) had mild occlusal derangement and 20% (n=2) had deranged occlusion on immediate postoperative day, where as in Group-II only 20% (n=2) of patients had mild occlusal derangement. Additional fixation required in 30% (n=3) of patients in group-I, and 10% (n=1) in Group-II. 20% (n=2) of patients in Group-I developed infection. All patients in both the groups had inadequate mouth opening on immediate post operative day, later resumed normal mouth opening. 10% (n=1) in group-I and 20% (n=2) of patients in group-II presented with postinjury/preoperative inferior alveolar nerve sensory disturbance with no incidence of postoperative sensory disturbance. None of the patients in both the groups had malunion, nonunion, plate fracture, and loosening of plates and screws.

Conclusion: 3-D titanium miniplates showed more favorable results compared to single conventional titanium miniplate with respect to initial interfragmentary stability and complications.