Plating systems used in management of anterior mandibular fractures-A retrospective study

This retrospective study aims to compare various plating systems used for ORIF in anterior mandibular fractures in terms of (i) distribution of age, (ii) gender preferences, (iii) causes, (iv) providing immediate function to the patient, (v) location and side distribution of fractures, (vi) methods of maxillomandibular fixation, and (vii) other associated mandibular fractures.

The study focused on patients who experienced road traffic accidents and those who underwent surgery for anterior mandibular fractures. This retrospective study reviewed patient data collected from 2018 to 2023. Follow-up results were evaluated based on this data.

Out of 118 patients who underwent surgical intervention for anterior mandibular fractures, 90.7% were male. The average age was 30 years (mean ± SD: 30.48 ± 8.811. The parasymphysis region was the most frequently fractured area, occurring in 50% of the cases. Most patients had isolated mandibular fractures, comprising 78.8% of the cases. The most commonly associated fracture was the zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture, seen in 10.2% of patients. Arch bar fixation was used for 79.7% of patients to provide intermaxillary fixation (IMF), while 5.1% of patients did not require any Maxillomandibular.

Our study suggests that using a single miniplate in conjunction with uncut arch bar fixation has significant results compared to two miniplates for treating anterior mandibular fractures. Furthermore, the arch bar method was the primary technique utilized for maxillomandibular fixation in these patients.