Biomechanical evaluation of a new design titanium miniplate for the treatment of mandibular angle fractures.

The optimal management of mandibular angle fractures remains controversial. The aim of this experimental study was to test the stability and resistance to mechanical force of a new titanium miniplate design. Thirty fresh sheep hemimandibles, sectioned at the angle region, were used to evaluate two plating techniques. One group received fixation via a new design single non-compression titanium miniplate and the second group via a six-hole straight non-compression titanium miniplate. A custom-made biomechanical test model was used for the samples. Each hemimandible was subjected to compressive and tensile forces using an Instron machine. The biomechanical forces (N) that caused 4-mm displacement or fixation loosening were compared. Comparison between the groups showed that fixation with the new design miniplate had more resistance to lateral compression forces than with a six-hole straight miniplate (P<0.009). Moreover, the new design miniplate fixation displayed more resistance to vertical compression and tensile forces (P>0.46 and P>0.61, respectively). The study demonstrated that mandibular fracture fixation with the new design non-compression titanium miniplate offered greater resistance to lateral displacement forces and may also provide increased resistance to vertical compressive and tensile forces than a conventional six-hole straight miniplate.

Clinical comparison of ultrasonic surgery and conventional surgical techniques for enucleating jaw cysts.

The conventional treatment of odontogenic cysts usually involves enucleation of the cyst using rotary and manual instruments; such procedures can cause trauma to the cystic epithelium or soft tissues in the region, such as sinus membrane perforation or nerve damage. The use of ultrasonic surgery may reduce the risk of damage to soft tissues. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of ultrasonic surgery in removing odontogenic cysts. Eighty-two cysts were removed from 68 patients over a period of 45 months. Ultrasonic surgery was used for 34 patients and conventional surgical procedures were used for 34 control patients. Two surgeons rated the cutting efficiency, visibility of the surgical field, ease of operation, and ease of cyst epithelium removal on a 100-mm visual analogue scale. The operation time was also recorded. No major intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed, and there was no cyst recurrence. Ultrasonic surgery for enucleating jaw cysts was found to increase the operation time, but also markedly increased the visibility of the operation field. In cases where cyst enucleation is performed in difficult areas that require delicate manipulation, there is less risk of damage to vital structures such as neurovascular tissues with ultrasonic surgery.