Clinical Outcomes of Mandibular Angle Fractures Treated by Single-Versus Double Miniplates

Background: Angle fractures represent the highest percentage of mandibular fractures. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two miniplates fixation versus one plate fixation in the treatment of angle fractures. Material and Methods: The present study was carried out on 40 patients with fractures of the mandible angle region treated by open reduction and internal fixation with 2.0mm standard conventional mini plates. Subjects were selected and randomly assigned to one of the 2 groups, 20 patients for each. Group I, patients were treated by single miniplate at superior border of mandible by intraoral approach; Group II, patients were treated by one miniplate like in group I, plus another plate at the lateral aspect of angle, trans buccally by trocar and cannula. The patients were evaluated for duration of surgery, post operative infection, wound healing, neurosensory disturbance, occlusion, malunion, and hardware failure. Results: The complications were more in group 2 than in group 1. Disturbed occlusion was noted in 2 patients in group 2 and 3 patients of group 1. Infection occurred in 1 patient in group 1 and 2 patients in group 2. Preoperative/postoperative anesthesia was reported in 4/6 patients in group 1 and 5/7 patients of group2. No wound breakdown was seen in both groups. Screw loosening, necessitates removal of the plate, was noted in 3 patients of group 1 and one patient of group 2. Two patients’ group 1 showed delayed union and none of the patients in group 2 develop such complication. The difference in the complications between the two groups was not significant. Conclusions: There was no difference between the single- and double plate fixation regarding disturbed occlusion, infection, wound break down, lip paresthesia, hardware failure and malunion. Keywords: Angle Fractures, Double plate, Mandible fracture, Miniplate, Single plate, Trans buccal approach.