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

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare conventional miniplate (Champy's) and 3-dimensional miniplate fixation in the management of mandibular fracture.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study.

SETTING: 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.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 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.

RESULTS: 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).

CONCLUSION: No major difference in terms of treatment outcome is observed in both systems, and both are equally effective in managing mandibular fracture.