Three-Dimensional Miniplate: For the Management of Mandibular Parasymphysis Fractures

Recently, oral and maxillofacial surgeons are favoring three-dimensional (3D) miniplates to treat mandibular fractures.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of 3D-miniplates over standard miniplates in the management of mandibular parasymphysis fracture.

Forty patients with mandibular parasymphysis fractures were divided into two groups of 20 patients each. Group I patients underwent osteosynthesis of mandibular fracture by noncompression, unicortical, and stainless steel 3D miniplates, and Group II patients underwent osteosynthesis by noncompression, unicortical, and stainless steel Champy's miniplates. All the patients were followed up 6 months' postoperatively, evaluating occlusion, mobility of fracture segment, pain, wound dehiscence, neurological deficit, and infection.

The data were analyzed by SPSS for windows (version 17) statistical package (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Chi-square test was carried out to determine the statistical difference between the groups.

Mobility of the fractured site was evaluated postoperatively after 2 weeks, and it was found that mobility was absent in all the cases of Group I and 36 (80%) cases in Group II. There was significant difference in the mean visual analog scale scores among the Group I and II when compared from preoperative to 4-week follow-up. In Group II, two patients showed wound dehiscence. After 2 weeks, infection was seen in two patients of Group II.

3D plates in mandibular parasymphysis fractures give dimensional stability and carry low morbidity and infection rates.