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Treatment of mandibular angle fractures using two noncompression miniplates
1Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-9109.
Summary
Two 2.0-mm miniplates for mandibular angle fractures showed ease of use but led to an unacceptably high infection rate (28%), necessitating further surgical intervention and hardware removal in many cases.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Mandibular angle fractures are common facial injuries.
- Effective treatment aims to restore function and aesthetics while minimizing complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and complication rates of using two 2.0-mm noncompression miniplates for treating mandibular angle fractures.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-seven patients with 69 mandibular angle fractures underwent open reduction and internal fixation.
- Two 2.0-mm noncompression miniplates and self-threading screws were used via a transoral approach.
- No postsurgical maxillomandibular fixation or elastics were applied.
Main Results:
- A significant complication rate of 28% (19 fractures) was observed, primarily postoperative infections (n=17).
- Seventeen infections required surgical drainage, and 16 necessitated hardware removal.
- Of the infected cases, 11 healed after hardware removal, five required maxillomandibular fixation, and one needed bone grafting.
Conclusions:
- While the application of two 2.0-mm noncompression miniplates is technically straightforward, the associated infection rate is unacceptably high for mandibular angle fracture treatment.
- This technique may require modification or alternative approaches to reduce postoperative morbidity.