A Comparative Evaluation of Fixation Techniques in Anterior Mandibular Fractures Using 2.0 mm Monocortical Titanium Miniplates Versus 2.4 mm Cortical Titanium Lag Screws

Comparative evaluation of lag screws and miniplates in the fixation of anterior mandibular fractures- a prospective study

INTRODUCTION

Mandibular fractures are among the commonest fractures of maxillofacial region with anterior-mandibular fractures accounting for 8-15%. Mini-plates with or without arch bar is the most commonly used fixation method to achieve ORIF. However, the mandible symphysis is uniquely shaped for the application of lag-screws.

AIM

This study aims at evaluating the effectiveness of lag-screws in comparison with mini-plates in fixation of anterior mandibular fractures.

METHODOLOGY

20 patients diagnosed with anterior mandibular fractures were divided into 2 equal groups. Group-A was treated using lag-screws and Group-B was treated using mini-plates. Radiographs were taken for evaluation of fracture site. The results were assessed for mobility of fracture segments, stability of occlusion, paresthesia, and pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative distances between fracture segments.

RESULTS

There was a significant reduction in clinical distance between the reduced fracture fragments in the lag-screw group. A substantial reduction of radiographic distance between fracture segments was observed post-operatively in the lag-screw group, unlike the mini-plate group. A lesser interfragmentary distance was observed in patients treated with the lag-screw technique.

CONCLUSION

While lag screws and miniplate techniques are both stable forms of fixation, there is more interfragmentary bony contact with lag-screws, thus ideal for fixation of anterior mandibular fractures.

Evaluation of Efficacy of Herbert Bone Screw and Lag Screw in Management of Oblique Mandibular Fractures: A Prospective Randomized Comparative Study

Purpose

To assess the efficacy of Herbert cannulated bone screw versus Lag screw in fixation of oblique mandibular fractures.

Materials and Method

Study composed of two groups of 20 patients each and descriptive statistics were performed with p value set at 0.05 with confidence interval of 95%. Group A was treated by Titanium Lag screws; while, Group B was treated by Titanium Herbert Cannulated Bone Screws for the management of oblique mandibular fractures. Postoperatively, all the patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically by recording the incidence of complications (if any) which included trismus, neurosensory deficit, swelling, infection. Parameters such as occlusal discrepancy, rigid fixation (interfragmentary gap) and duration of surgery were also recorded for all the patients.

Results

All the patients were followed for a period of three months. Difference in mouth opening was found to be statistically significant during 1st month follow-up (p-Value-0.002). Postoperatively, the mean interfragmentary gap in Group A was significantly more than Group B (p-Value-0.000). Other parameters like neurosensory deficits, occlusal discrepancies, chewing efficiency, stability of fractured fragments and post-operative complications in terms of swelling, hardware exposure, radiolucency surrounding screw and wound dehiscence did not show any statistically significant difference.

Conclusion

The obtained results showed that both lag screws and Herbert cannulated bone screws fulfill the treatment goals of adequate reduction, fixation and stabilization of oblique mandibular fractures. Herbert screws have shown to have better results in terms of interfragmentary gap reduction as compared to lag screws.

Effective strategies in the management of anterior mandibular fractures: a comprehensive systematic review

This review examines the prevailing modalities for fractures of the anterior mandible, which represent a significant proportion of the maxillofacial injuries commonly treated by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The article traces the historical shift from conservative techniques to the dominant management strategies of open reduction and fixation. Encompassing a range of studies, the review, in accordance with PRISMA 2020 recommendations, meticulously examines various fixation methods, assessing their efficacy in achieving stability of fracture, early healing, and mobilisation. The comparison of these methods highlights their unique advantages and limitations, and demonstrates the need for more nuanced and precise approaches. The review emphasises evidence-based methodology in the management of anterior mandibular fractures (AMF), highlighting the benefits offered by innovative techniques such as 3D miniplates. It also acknowledges the advantages provided by older fixation devices such as lag screws. The importance of postoperative outcomes and the need for tailored treatment strategies are recognised, considering the complex nature of these fractures.

Cortical lag screw fixation for the management of mandibular injuries

Objectives

Here, we present cases of mandibular fracture that were managed with the cortical lag screw fixation technique (CLSFT) in order to critically evaluate technique indications and limitations of application at various fracture sites.

Materials and Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study. The study sample was composed of patients suffering from mandibular fractures that were treated by the CLSFT. The outcome variables were fracture type, duration of surgery, number of screws, and pattern of application. Other study categories included patient demographics and causes of injury. Chi-square tests were used to assess descriptive and inferential statistical differences, and the P-value was set at 0.05.

Results

Thirty-three patients were included in the study sample, with a mean age of 30.9±11.5 years and a male predominance of 81.8%. The technique was applied more frequently in the anterior mandibular region (51.5%) than in other sites. Double CLSFT screws were required at the symphysis and parasymphysis, while single screws were used for body and angle regions. No intraoperative and postoperative variables were significantly different except for surgical duration, which was significantly different between the sites studied (P=0.035).

Conclusion

We found that CLSFT is a rapid, cost-effective technique for the fixation of mandibular fractures yielding good treatment results and very limited complications. However, this technique is sensitive and requires surgical expertise to be applied to mandibular fractures that have specialized characteristics.

Comparison between Erich arch bars and intermaxillary screws in maxillofacial fractures involving the dental occlusion: a meta-analysis

This systematic review aimed to compare the Erich arch bars (EABs) with intermaxillary fixation (IMF) screws in maxillofacial fractures involving dental occlusion on perioperative parameters. Four electronic databases were searched: MedLine (Pubmed), Web of Science, VHL, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria comprised clinical trials comparing the two IMF methods, assessing at least one of the outcomes: occlusal stability, oral hygiene, quality of life, time to apply and remove IMF appliances, and complications. Risk of bias was evaluated through the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Fifteen papers were included in the qualitative analysis and 12 of those in the meta-analysis. Times for EABs application (mean difference (MD) 46.83; 95% confidence interval (CI): 30.63-63.02) and removal (MD 22.89; 95% CI 14.61-31.17) were longer compared with IMF screws. There is higher risk of glove perforation (risk ratio (RR) 3.81; 95% CI 2.41-6.04) and lower risk of iatrogenic injuries (RR 0.21; 95% CI 0.09-0.48) when placing EABs compared with IMF screws. No significant differences in plaque index were found (MD 1.07; 95% CI -0.17 to 2.31). The quality of this evidence ranged from very low to low and was mainly compromised by risk of bias assessment. Further studies are necessary to evaluate transurgical IMF stability and postoperative occlusal quality and quality of life when comparing EABs with IMF screws.

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of Perpendicular Plating Versus Conventional Plating in Mandibular Symphysis Fracture

Aim and Objective

To perform the comparative finite element analysis of conventional and perpendicular plating in mandibular symphyseal fracture.

Material and Method

Two FE model of mandible were developed and symphyseal fracture was created in both of them. Each fractured model was fixed by conventional method 2.0 mm system and perpendicular method 2.00 mm system. Stresses which developed in plates and mandible after application of load were observed in the model.

Results

Results of the study indicated that perpendicular method was more resistant to displacing forces and rest of the parameters was within the permitted limits.

Conclusion

Perpendicular method was reasonably effective as conventional method of fixation for mandibular symphyseal fracture.

Titanium Lag Screw Versus Miniplate Fixation in the Treatment of Anterior Mandibular Fractures

PURPOSE

The use of plates for open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular fractures has become a widely accepted method in the past 3 decades. However, the anterior mandible is well suited to lag screw fixation owing to the thickness of its bony cortices. Hence, the purpose of the present study was to comparatively evaluate clinical outcomes of fixation using lag screws and miniplates in anterior mandibular fractures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty patients reporting to the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery with noncomminuted anterior mandibular fractures were randomly divided into 2 groups of 25 patients each. Patients in group A were treated with 2.5-mm lag screws 22 to 26 mm in length and those in group B were treated with 2.0-mm 4-hole miniplates with a gap using monocortical screws. Subsequent follow-up was performed at 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks postoperatively. The primary determinants included radiographic analysis of the fracture gap and biting efficiency of the patients in groups A and B. The secondary determinants included evaluation of duration of surgery, occlusion before and after injury, and postoperative complications. Results were evaluated using χ² and unpaired t tests.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients in this study was 29.1 ± 8.32 years (range, 18 to 67 yr). The mean postoperative fracture gap was considerably larger in group B. The mean duration of surgery (minutes) was 37.60 ± 9.30 for group A and 47 ± 6.55 for group B. The difference was statistically significant (P = .001). The lag screw group showed faster improvement in biting efficiency compared with the miniplate group.

CONCLUSIONS

Lag screw fixation was found to have good stability and rigidity, was inexpensive, and was less time consuming in treating anterior mandibular fractures compared with miniplates.

Three-dimensional versus standard miniplate, lag screws versus miniplates, locking plate versus non-locking miniplates: Management of mandibular fractures, a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background/purpose

The aims of the present study were to 1) evaluate the clinical outcomes between different fixation methods in the management of mandibular fractures (MFs) and 2) determine which fixation method is the best option for the treatment of mandibular fractures.

Materials and methods

A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, examining Medline-Ovid, Embase, and Pubmed databases. Inclusion criteria were studied in humans, including randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, and retrospective studies, with the aim of comparing the two techniques. In addition, the incidence of complications was evaluated.

Results

Thirty-two publications were included: 20 randomized controlled trials, 4 controlled clinical trials, and 8 retrospective studies. There were statistically significant advantages for 3-dimensional miniplate and lag screws. There was no statistically significant difference between locking plates and standard miniplates (P = 0 0.2). The cumulative odds ratio was 0.64, meaning that the use of locking miniplate in the fixation of MFs decreases the risk for postoperative complications by 36% over the use of standard miniplates.

Conclusion

The results of the three-Dimensional Versus Standard miniplate showed that 3-dimensional miniplate is the best option for mandibular fractures. Regarding Lag Screws Versus Miniplates results of the meta-analysis found that the use of lag screws is superior to using miniplates in reducing the incidence of postoperative complications. And in regards to locking miniplates versus non-locking miniplate, the analysis indicates that the 2.0-mm locking miniplate is a prospective fixation system in the treatment of maxillofacial fractures.

A clinical prospective randomized comparative study on ostyeosynthesis of mandibular anterior fractures following open reduction using lag screws and miniplates

Introduction

The aim of the present study was to compare fixation of mandibular anterior fractures following open reduction using lag screws or miniplates.

Materials and Methods

This prospective study was conducted on 20 patients diagnosed with cases of displaced mandibular anterior fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation. The patients were then randomly allocated to either of two groups - Group A: two 2.5 mm stainless steel lag screws were placed in 10 patients. Group B: two 2.5 mm miniplates were placed in 10 patients for the fixation of fractures. Subsequent follow-up was done on the 1^st day, 1^st, 4^th, and 36^th week postoperatively. During every follow-up, patient was assessed clinically for infection, malocclusion, loosening of plate/screw, malunion/nonunion, and masticatory efficiency. Radiographs (orthopantogram) were taken preoperative, 1^st, 4^th, and 36^th postoperative week to compare the osteosynthesis between the two groups. Pain was objectively measured using a visual analog scale. The data collected was subjected to unpaired t-test and paired t-test for statistical analysis.

Result

It was found that lag screw placement was rapid in comparison of miniplate placement. 3rd month postoperative assessment revealed Lag screw group to have better biting efficiency, and better bone healing which was statistically significant when compared with miniplate group.

Conculsion

Our study suggests that lag screw osteosynthesis can be advocated as a valid treatment modality in the management of mandibular symphysis and parasymphysis fractures.

A comparative study between traditional fixation with miniplates and modified lag screws for the treatment of mandibular fractures

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to investigate two internal fixation surgical techniques for mandibular fractures in order to compare modified lag screw techniques with standard miniplates.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is an observational prospective study. Three hundred eighteen patients were operated on for mandibular fractures. The patients were divided into two groups according to the type of surgical technique used: modified lag screws (155 patients) and traditional miniplates (163 patients). Analyses were made of sociodemographic and preoperative variables, the parameters related to the fracture type and postoperative data.

RESULTS

There were no differences between the two groups regarding their sociodemographic characteristics. The modified lag screws were primarily used with double fractures, while conventional miniplates were more often used with simple fractures. The number of complications was higher with the miniplate technique. The unfavorable fractures had an OR of 5.75 due to postoperative complications; double fractures had an OR of 8.87 and simple fractures an OR of 19.53, which, in both cases, were lower with conventional miniplates than with modified lag screws.

CONCLUSION

Modified lag screws provide a rigid fixation system that is as secure as miniplates, but with greater compression between the fragments, less postsurgical gap, faster ossification, and fewer postoperative complications.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The modified screw technique is a safe tool that does not require any specific osteosynthesis materials not found in a basic traumatology kit and has a lower cost, due to the reduced amount of material used.

Tomographic Evaluation of Mandibular Thickness on Premolar and Molar Regions Related to Monocortical Screws

The aim of this study was to measure the thickness of the mandible from the external cortical plate to the teeth roots on premolar and molar regions using CT scan to determine the safety margin for the application of monocortical screws for internal rigid fixation. Thirty-one patients underwent CT-scan imaging for surgical planning. The images were used to measure bilaterally the distance from the external cortex of the mandible to the roots of teeth on premolar and molar region by means of Dental Slice software (Bioparts Prototipagem Biomedica, Brasília, DF, Brazil). Mean, median, standard deviation, one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's test were used for statistical analysis. No statistical differences for thickness were found between right and left side (p = 0.1652). The mean thickness for the left side was 4.17 ± 1.68 mm and for right side 3.93 ± 1.49 mm. Increase in mandibular thickness from anterior to posterior regions in both sides was observed and statistical difference was found among the different groups according to the measured region (p < 0.05). The present results can predict the safety zone for the use of monocortical screws in the mandible, but the use of CT scan is imperative and individual analysis is desired owing to anatomical variations. Further studies with larger samples are necessary to confirm these data and should include other anatomic structures, different regions of mandible/maxilla, as well as other ethnic groups.