Management of Angle Mandible Fractures by 3D Rectangular Grid Plate: A Prospective Study.

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of treatment of mandibular angle fractures using 3D rectangular grid plate. A total of 10 patients with mandibular angle fractures with or without associated facial fractures requiring open reduction and internal fixation were included in the study. Fixation was done using 3D rectangular grid plate. The mean age of the patients in the study is 34.7 years. In all the cases, fracture was adequately reduced (100%) intraoperatively and confirmed through postoperative radiographs. The mean mouth opening by the end of 3 months is 38.60 mm. Four patients had paresthesia of inferior alveolar nerve pre- and postoperatively, and normal sensation was regained by the end of the third month. There were no reported cases of infection and hardware failure during the 9-month follow-up period. The results of the study suggest that 3D rectangular grid plate is a feasible alternative to conventional miniplate systems with good clinical outcome and fewer complications related to paresthesia, infection and hardware failure.