Comparison of 3D plate and locking plate in treatment of mandibular fracture-a clinical study

This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and post-operative complication of 3-dimensional (3D) titanium miniplate and locking plate in mandibular fractures (parasymphysis, symphysis, body, and angle).

Forty patients, with non-comminuted mandibular fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation using 3D titanium miniplate system or locking plate system through an intra-oral approach, were included in this study. All patients were systematically monitored up to 2 months post-operatively. Parameters recorded were infection, occlusal discrepancies, hardware failure, wound dehiscence, sensory disturbance of the inferior alveolar nerve, and stability of fractured segments.

Forty patients with mandibular fracture were divided into two groups randomly without any bias. The fractures of all 40 patients were found to be adequately fixed when checked intra-operatively after fixation. One patient (2.5%) of the 3D plate group developed an infection on the first and second post-operative visit and was treated by antibiotic coverage. One patient in the locking plate group (2.5%) reported wound dehiscence after the first week follow-up.

Both 3D titanium miniplates and locking plate are effective in the treatment of mandibular fractures, and overall complication rates are lesser. However, the 3D plating system uses less hardware in cases of parasymphysis and symphysis fractures and more hardware in cases of body and angle fractures.