Clinical analysis of MatrixMANDIBLE Preformed Reconstruction Plate design

MatrixMANDIBLE Preformed Reconstruction Plates (MMPRPs) were developed to overcome laborious bending procedures of conventional reconstruction plates. The design comprises three sizes with a nonbendable centerpiece and two bendable sections (proximal and distal). According to the surgical protocol unnecessary parts are trimmed after the last used screw hole. In the present retrospective study postoperative radiographs from 130 patients (average age 63 years) that received treatment with MMPRPs were assessed. There was no statistical correlation between plate-size, location (left/right) or age. 82.98% of the small and 91.80% of the medium MMPRPs were trimmed by at least the terminal screw hole of the ramus part. In all patients receiving a large MMPRP, the terminal screw hole of the ramus was unused accordingly all inserted large MMPRPs were trimmed by at least the terminal screw hole. The majority of the bridged defects were located within the area of the body indicating a feasible plate design. With the emergence of solid free form fabrication of Ti-alloys and economic need to reduce the waste of resources this study may help to further improve the MMPRP design and prevent the loss of medical-grade titanium.