Volume 6 Issue 2 (March - April), 2020

Original Articles

An Evaluation for the Need of Supplemental Maxillo-Mandibular Fixation in mandibular fractures after Miniplate Osteosynthesis
Akshay Thakur, Ruchi Verma, Padma Chandra, Rajesh Prasad

Aim: To evaluate the necessity of supplemental maxillo-mandibular fixation after miniplate osteosynthesis for the treatment of mandibular fractures using 2.0 mm titanium miniplate. Methods: 30 adult patients reporting with mandibular fractures were randomly divided into two groups: GROUP A (included fifteen patients in whom supplemental maxillo-mandibular fixation was released immediately after surgery) & GROUP B (included fifteen patients in whom supplemental postoperative maxillo-mandibular fixation was kept for a period of 7 days). Patients were kept on a follow up for 3 months. Results: Post-operative occlusal disturbances were found in one patient each in both group A and group B. Difference in post-operative pain and improvements in post-operative pain on subsequent follow-ups, was found to be statistically not significant. Post-operative mouth opening was found to be more on 7th post-operative day in group A patients (29.20±6.57 mm) as compared to in group B (21.60±4.40 mm), with a p-value of 0.01. Wound dehiscence was found in only one patient in group A, while no cases of wound dehiscence were seen in group B. In group A, 1 patient had wound infection and in group B, 2 patients had wound infection. No cases of post-operative non-union or post-operative malunion were seen in either of the groups. Conclusion: The current prospective study shows no significant differences in treating mandibular fracture by open reduction and internal fixation with or without supplemental maxillo-mandibular fixation. Keywords: Mandibular fractures; Maxillo-mandibular Fixation; Miniplate Osteosynthesis; Occlusal Disturbances; Postoperative mouth opening.

 
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