Fixation of Mandibular Fractures- A Comparative Study Between 2.0 mm Locking Plates snd Screws and 2.5 mm Conventional Miniplates and Screws

Introduction; Fixation stability and occlusion are of atmost importance in the management of mandibular fractures. Locking plates (2mm) were introduced as internal fixators for achieving stability by locking the screw to the plate. The advantage of using locking plates was decreased amount of inflammatory response and decrease in the infection rate. Our aim was to compare the efficacy of 2mm locking plate and screw with 2.5mm conventional mini plates and screws in the treatment of mandibular fractures in the inter foraminal region and also to evaluate the fixation stability provided by these plates.Methods; 20 patients with mandible fractures were selected who required open reduction and internal fixation under general anesthesia were included in the study. 2mm locking plates and screws were used for fixation of linear fractions in the interforaminal region in 10 patients and 2.5mm mini plates and screws in 10 patients. The various parameters that were compared were fixation stability which included gap alignment after reduction and fixation. Occlusion was checked on the second day and at six weeks post operatively. Patients had a follow up of six weeks and complications if any were recordedResults; In our study it was found that the gap between the fractured fragments after fixation was reduced in the 2mm locking plate and screw system with better fixation stability when compared to mini plate group. Conclusion; So we safely conclude that locking plates and screw showed better results in comparison to miniplate in relation to their fixation stability and complication.