Unbound MEDLINE

Small and large titanium plates are equally effective for treating mandible fractures.

Abstract

PURPOSE
The use of small titanium plates for the management of mandibular fractures continues to be a source of controversy because of their load-sharing properties. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the use of small plates for mandibular fractures is as efficacious as large plates in a large level I trauma center.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Consecutive subjects presenting with mandibular fractures were randomly allocated to the use of either small plates (group 1) or large plates (group 2). The primary predictor variable was the plate size. The primary outcome variable was fracture union. The secondary outcomes included complications and operative time. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test for ordinal and continuous variables and the χ(2) test or Fisher exact test for proportions.
RESULTS
A total of 127 consecutive subjects with a fracture of the mandible were enrolled in the study. Of the 127 subjects, 53 completed the required follow-up of at least 6 weeks. There was no difference in the rate of fracture union between the 2 groups (P = .95).
CONCLUSIONS
The study findings suggest that the use of small plates and monocortical screws for mandibular fractures results in favorable outcomes compared with using larger plates and bicortical screws.

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  • Publisher Full Text

    • Authors

    Bouloux GF, Chen S, Threadgill JM

    Institution

    Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. gfboulo@emory.edu

    Source

    Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 70:7 2012 Jul pg 1613-21

    MeSH

    Adolescent
    Adult
    Aged
    Aged, 80 and over
    Biocompatible Materials
    Bone Plates
    Bone Screws
    Device Removal
    Equipment Design
    Equipment Failure
    Female
    Follow-Up Studies
    Fracture Fixation, Internal
    Fracture Healing
    Fractures, Ununited
    Humans
    Jaw Fixation Techniques
    Male
    Mandibular Condyle
    Mandibular Fractures
    Middle Aged
    Patient Admission
    Postoperative Complications
    Surgical Wound Infection
    Time Factors
    Titanium
    Treatment Outcome
    Young Adult

    Pub Type(s)

    Comparative Study
    Journal Article
    Randomized Controlled Trial

    Language

    eng

    PubMed ID

    22698293