Comparative Assessment of Microplates with Miniplates in the Fixation of Midface Fractures: A Prospective Study

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Trauma Surgery
• Orthognathic Surgery

Background:

• Midface fractures require stable fixation for optimal functional and aesthetic recovery.
• Microplates (1.2 mm) and miniplates (2.0 mm) are commonly used fixation devices.
• Comparative studies on their long-term outcomes in midface fracture management are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the treatment outcomes of microplate versus miniplate fixation for midface fractures.
• To evaluate clinical parameters including occlusion, stability, function, and patient-reported aesthetics.
• To assess the impact of plate size on patient satisfaction and complications.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 30 patients with midface fractures (Le Fort I, II, III, ZMC).
• Patients were randomized into two groups: microplate (1.2 mm) or miniplate (2.0 mm) fixation (n=15 each).
• Clinical outcomes and patient perspectives were assessed at multiple postoperative intervals up to 3 months.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences were observed between microplate and miniplate groups for occlusion, stability, chewing efficiency, pain, infection, paresthesia, plate exposure, aesthetics, or patient perspective.
• Plate palpability was reported by one patient in the microplate group versus five in the miniplate group (P=0.16), indicating a potential clinical but not statistically significant difference.

Conclusions:

• Microplate osteosynthesis provides equivalent results to miniplate osteosynthesis for midface fracture fixation in terms of stability and function.
• Microplate fixation demonstrates a clinically superior aesthetic outcome compared to miniplates.
• Both fixation methods yield comparable patient satisfaction and functional recovery in midface fracture management.