Comparison of Single Plate Transbuccal Fixation with Intraoral External Oblique Ridge Fixation in Mandibular Angle Fractures

Abstract

Background: Mandibular angle fractures are treated by many open reduction and fixation techniques. Each technique has several advantages and disadvantages. The external oblique ridge fixation via introral approach versus transbuccal fixation and intraoral approach together were compared in this study.
Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of intraoral external oblique ridge fixation vs an intraoral transbuccal technique. A single miniplate fixation for the therapy of mandibular angle fractures.
Material and Methods: A total of 180 angle fracture patients were randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups in this randomized control trial. Each group had 80 patients: group A  and group B. On the first week, first month, and third month, all of the patients were followed up on to assess infection and malocclusion.
Results: With an age range of 16 to 60 years, the average age of the 160 patients was 24.79 years (SD 6.855). At the end of three months, 12 (15%) of patients in group A and 7 (8.75%) of patients in group B had infection. At the last follow-up appointment, 2 (2.5%) patients in group A and 1 (1.25%) patients in group B both had malocclusion (03 months post-op). At the third month after using the Chi square test, the P-value for infection and malocclusion was negligible.
Conclusion: The present study concluded that combination method (introral with transbuccal) can effectively treat mandibular angle fractures because it allows for easier plate adaption and placement of the plate in the mid neutral area, which reduces the risk of infection and malocclusion.