Conventional versus 3-dimensional miniplate in management of mandibular fracture: a prospective randomized study.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare conventional miniplate (Champy's) and 3-dimensional miniplate fixation in the management of mandibular fracture. Prospective study. The study was carried out in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Govt. Dental College, Pt. B.D. Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, India. A prospective randomized clinical trial was carried out in 50 patients. Patients were randomly assigned to receive a 2.0-mm 3-dimensional miniplate (group A) or a 2.0-mm conventional miniplate (group B). All patients were followed up for 12 weeks postoperatively. Complications were analyzed according to the type of plate used and the site of fracture. Twenty-eight fracture sites were treated with the 3-dimensional miniplate and 28 with the conventional miniplate. Five complications occurred, representing 8.9% of the total. Two complications occurred in group A and 3 in group B, with complication rates equaling 7.14% and 10.71%, respectively. When comparing the overall complication rates according to plates used, the χ(2) test showed no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (P > .05). No major difference in terms of treatment outcome is observed in both systems, and both are equally effective in managing mandibular fracture.