Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of one titanium microplate in the fixation of displaced pediatric parasymphysial mandibular fractures.
Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 7 children in the mixed dentition stage with displaced parasymphysial fracture. Patients' age ranged between 5 years 9 months and 8 years 4 months with an average of 7 years 1 month. Fractured bone segments were exposed, reduced and then fixed using 1.5 linear microplates at the inferior border of the mandible using monocortical screws, with 1.5 mm in diameter and 5 mm in length. Stainless steel wire was used as a tension band by ligating the teeth around the fracture line. Patients were followed up for occlusion and stability clinically and radiographically (panoramic X-ray and CT).
Results: According to clinical and radiographic post-operative follow-up, none of the patients showed displacement of the fixed bony segments.
Conclusion: The present study concluded that using one microplate with 1.5 monocortical micro-screws and dental tension band by a stainless steel wire could be adequate for fixing displaced pediatric parasymphysial mandibular fractures. This technique has the following advantages: decreases the amount of titanium used, decreases the risk of injury of the roots and teeth buds, and decreases the cost and time of surgery. (C) 2009 King Saud University. All rights reserved.