ABSTRACT
Background: The progressive development in the trauma management has now paved way to the use of miniplates for the treatment of mandibular fractures. We present a case series of twenty-five patients treated with miniplates for the mandibular fractures.Methods: The study was done on twenty-five patients diagnosed clinically and radiographically with mandibular fractures and attending the outpatient department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery of a tertiary care hospital in Jaipur city. The selected cases were treated by open reduction and internal fixation under general anesthesia. 2.0-mm titanium locking mini plates were used as a method of internal fixation. The patients were evaluated for the location, type and number of fractures, time required for adaptation and fixation of single four hole 2.0-mm locking plate, complications during surgery, pre and post-surgical occlusal relationship, adequacy of reduction on postoperative radiograph and any post-surgical complications requiring a secondary surgical intervention.Results: Majority were in the age group of 21-30 years (72%) with a mean age of 26.6 years. Among these, there were 23(92%) male and 2(8%) female patient. Maximum (28%) patients were of symphysis and angle fracture followed by symphysis and condylar (25%), while only 2% cases were of Para symphysis and condylar. The mean time taken for single plate adaptation and fixation was 11.34 minutes for symphysis fracture, 14.12 minutes for parasymphysis fracture, and 11.56 minutes for body fracture and 18.90 minutes for angle fractures.Conclusions: The locking miniplates in mandibular fractures is efficacious enough to appreciate early recovery of normal jaw function, uneventful healing and good union at the fracture site with minimal weight loss due to early reinstatement of masticatory function.