Comparative Evaluation of the Efficacy of Double Y-Shaped Miniplate Versus Conventional Miniplates for the Treatment of Mandibular Anterior Fractures

Introduction:Open reduction and internal fixation are generally the treatment of choice for symphysis and parasymphysis fractures of the mandible, although closed reduction is still an acceptable alternative for select patients with simple nondisplaced fractures.Conventionally, two miniplate are used for the fracture fixation in the anterior region of the mandible, but one larger plate, with or without arch bar, is the accepted alternative to the conventional two miniplates system.Objectives: To evaluate and compare the efficacy and clinical outcome in the treatment of mandibular anterior region fractures with double Y-Shaped miniplate and Conventional miniplates. Materials and methods:Patients were randomly divided into Group A (ten patients) and Group B (ten patients) by using table of random numbers.Patients between the age group of 18 -60 years were selected after fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria and obtaining written consent.In group A, fracture fixation was done with conventional two miniplates and in group B, fracture fixation was done with Double Y shaped miniplate.Results: Intraoperatively, ease of plate handling and the duration of fixation were evaluated.Post operatively, the stability of the fracture fragments, occlusion, maximum mouth opening and post operative complications were assessed at immediate post operative period, one month, three months and six months.There was no statistically significant difference among the groups with constant P value of 1. None of the patients in both the groups had complications of non-union, mal-union, hardware failure and wound dehiscence. Conclusion:This study showed that both the conventional miniplates and the double Y shaped miniplate are successful in the treatment of anterior mandible fractures.Both plates exhibited excellent fracture stability, which is necessary for seamless fracture healing.