Is a single miniplate at the inferior border adequate in the management of an angle fracture of the mandible?

Abstract

This prospective study evaluates the efficacy of using a single miniplate at the inferior border in the management of a displaced angle fracture. Case series with chart review. Pt. B.D. Sharma University of Health Sciences. Fifty-two patients with angle fracture of the mandible were evaluated. All fractures were displaced. The displacement of fracture was assessed on panoramic radiography by measuring the displacement of the inferior alveolar canal. Fractures with displacement greater than 2 mm were included in the study. Fixation with a 4-hole noncompression miniplate along the inferior border and 2 bicortical screws on each side of the fracture was done. Among these 52 patients, 20 sustained isolated angle fracture, 2 sustained bilateral angle fracture, and 30 sustained angle fracture associated with contralateral parasymphysis or body fracture. Five patients (9.5%) experienced complications. All were considered minor and did not require hospitalization. Two had a slight occlusal discrepancy requiring selective occlusal grinding, and 2 minor infections were managed by incision and drainage. One patient suffered from paresis of the facial nerve that resolved itself after 3 months. Based on this single study, at a single institution, we can conclude that outcomes are acceptable in our patients, but there is very limited ability to generalize the results to different practice settings. Because of these limitations, a multicenter study with an appropriate comparison group is required to substantiate a more generalizable conclusion of efficacy of this single miniplate at inferior border.