Comparative Evaluation of 3d Locking Versus Non-Locking Titanium Miniplates in the Treatment of Mandibular Fracture.

The introduction of 3-dimension systems for the treatment of mandibular fractures and continuity has offered certain advantages over other plating system. The present study was undertaken to compare 2.0 mm 3D titanium locking and non-locking miniplates in the management of mandibular fractures. A prospective study was conducted on 40 patients (20 in each group) of mandibular fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation. Group A patients underwent osteosynthesis using 2.0 mm 3-D titanium locking miniplates while Group B used non-locking miniplates. Subsequent follow-up was assessed for pain, swelling, infection, paresthesia, malocclusion, mobility between fracture fragments and hardware failure in these patients. Functional occlusion was achieved postoperatively in all the patients. At 12 weeks of the time intervals, significant pain was observed in group B. At 1 week interval, 6 (30%) patients in both groups reported with swelling. Only one (10%) patient in each group had paresthesia which got resolved gradually over a period of 3 months. Infection was observed in only 2 (10%) patient in Group B at 3 months. Only 2 (10%) patient in Group B had hardware failure at 3 months interval. Statistically, there was no significant difference between both the groups at any time interval (p > 0.05). 3D titanium locking miniplates are effective in the treatment of mandibular fractures with lesser overall complications as compared to non-locking miniplates. © Association of Otolaryngologists of India 2020.