The use of a single titanium microplate in displaced pediatric parasymphysial mandibular fractures.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of one titanium microplate in the fixation of displaced pediatric parasymphysial mandibular fractures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 7 children in the mixed dentition stage with displaced parasymphysial fracture. Patients' age ranged between 5 years 9 months and 8 years 4 months with an average of 7 years 1 month. Fractured bone segments were exposed, reduced and then fixed using 1.5 linear microplates at the inferior border of the mandible using monocortical screws, with 1.5 mm in diameter and 5 mm in length. Stainless steel wire was used as a tension band by ligating the teeth around the fracture line. Patients were followed up for occlusion and stability clinically and radiographically (panoramic X-ray and CT).
RESULTS: According to clinical and radiographic post-operative follow-up, none of the patients showed displacement of the fixed bony segments.
CONCLUSION: The present study concluded that using one microplate with 1.5 monocortical microscrews and dental tension band by a stainless steel wire could be adequate for fixing displaced pediatric parasymphysial mandibular fractures. This technique has the following advantages: decreases the amount of titanium used, decreases the risk of injury of the roots and teeth buds, and decreases the cost and time of surgery.