Clinical evaluation of treatment outcome of plating technique of fixation for mandibular condylar fracture

Son, Jung Hee; Park, Ji Hwa; Kim, Chin Soo; Byun, Ki Jung

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare a sample of patients who had condylar fractures treated with open reduction using different plating techniques, to evaluate which plating technique is useful for stable fixation for fractures of the mandibular condyle and to evaluate effectiveness of resorbable miniplate. There were 60 patients (41 males, 19 females) whose condylar fractures were treated with open reduction. Rigid fixation was performed with a single miniplate, double miniplate ot one miniplate and one microplate and single resorbable plate. All patients remained intermaxillary fixation for 1 week postoperatively. Active physiotherapy was started after 2 weeks postoperatively. Radiographic evaluation (plate fracture, plate bending, screw loosening, displacement of condyle etc.) was performed at pre-operative, immediate, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months after surgery. Clinical evaluation included degree of mouth opening, occlusion, mandibular lateral excursion, infection and facial nerve paralysis. In radiographic evaluation, displacement of fractured condylar segment associated with plate bending or screw loosening were showed 6 cases and 3 cases for single miniplate system and resorbable miniplate system. There was no patients who have this problem on double miniplate system. The results revealed that the application of two miniplates were more recommendable than single miniplates. When we select resorbable miniplate system, we should consider the type of fractures, post-operative treatment protocol and surgical technique.