TITANIUM MINIPLATE OSTEOSYNTHESIS OF MANDIBULAR FRACTURES

Abstract

Background: The treatment of mandibular fractures (#s) had traditionally involved re-establishment of occlusion by Intermaxillary Fixation (IMF). In order to eliminate the morbidity associated with IMF. IMF has associated morbidity such as weight loss, interference with oral hygiene measures and patient discomfort. Increasingly over the three past decades, oral and maxillofacial surgeons have developed techniques of treating mandibular fractures using internal fixation. The routine use of miniplats in oral and maxillofacial surgery has gained popularity since Champy reporded modification of the original technique of Michelet.Objective: Evaluation of titanium miniplate osteosynthesis in treatment of mandibular fractures and comparison of the out come, advantages, disadvantages and complications between intra oral and extra oral approach for the application of titanium miniplates. Methods: This study was performed prospectively on 24 patients with 28 isolated mandibular fractures and treated by open reduction and titanium miniplate osteosynthesis. Ten patients had intra oral approach and fourteen patients had extra oral approach.Result: The overall complication rate was 25%. In the group, in which extra oral approach was used, the complication rate was 21.4% (3patients): 2 patients with facial scarring and 1 patient with malocclusion. In the group, in which intra oral approach was used, the complication rate was 30% (3 patients): 1 patient with paraesthesia of the lip, 1 patient with postoperative infection and 1 patient with root injury.Conclusion: Miniplate osteosynthesis gives acceptable result, and it can be recommended as a routine method for treatment of all mandibular #s. Intra oral approach is advantageous to, and gives comparable results with extra oral approach. Experience in the technique is an important factor in the outcome. Key words: Trauma-Mandibular fracture-Miniplate osteosynthesis