Comparison of resorbable plates and titanium plates for fixatio stability of combined mandibular symphysis and angle fractures

Abstract

Objectives: We compared resorbable plates with titanium plates for treatment of combined mandibular angle and symphyseal fractures.Materials and Methods: Patients with mandibular angle and symphysis fractures were divided into two groups. The control (T) group received tita-nium plates while the experimental (R) group received resorbable plates. All procedures were carried out under general anesthesia using standard surgi-cal techniques. We compared the frequency of wound dehiscence, development of infection, malocclusion, malunion, screw breakage, and any other technical difficulties between the two groupsResults: Thirteen patients were included in the R group, where 39 resorbable plates were applied. The T group consisted of 16 patients who received 48 titanium plates. The mean age in the R and T groups was 28.29 and 24.23 years, respectively. Primary healing of the fractured mandible was ob-tained in all patients in both groups. Postoperative complications were minor and transient. Moreover, there were no significantdifferences in the rates of various complications between the two groups. Breakage of 3 screws during the perioperative period was seen in the R group, while no screws or plates were broken in the T group.Conclusion: Resorbable plates can be used to stabilize combined mandibular angle and symphysis fractures.