Correlation of plates' number with complications of osteosynthesis in mandibular fractures.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the correlation of the miniplates' number used for fixation of single-compound symphyseal and parasymphyseal fractures with the osteosynthesis complications.

METHODS

Two hundred eighty-five patients having miniplate osteosynthesis complications participated in this study. They were classified into 3 groups according to the number of miniplates used for the fixation of the fractured segments. The first group included patients having 2 miniplates, whereas the second and third groups included patients having 4 miniplates and more than 4 miniplates, respectively.

RESULTS

The main osteosynthesis complications were malocclusion (32%) infection with an extraoral fistula (21%), wound dehiscence with intraoral exposure of the miniplates (17%), and combination of these (13%). Lower lip affection and intraoral bone exposure were 11% and 6%, respectively. Malocclusion was the most common complication in each group and showed the highest rate (62%) in the first group. Infection with extraoral fistula was found in all groups, with the highest rate (27%) in the first group. Wound dehiscence with intraoral exposure of the miniplates was present in the 3 groups, and the third group had the highest rate (19%). The second and third groups had equal rates of lower lip affection, numbness or weakness, (12%) and intraoral bone exposure (7%). In addition, they had combined complications in rates of 16% and 13%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of 2 miniplates for the fixation of single-compound symphyseal and parasymphyseal fractures is quite enough to avoid osteosynthesis complications such as wound dehiscence, bone or plate exposure, and lower lip affection.