Mandibular angle fractures treated with a single miniplate without postoperative maxillomandibular fixation: A retrospective evaluation of 50 patients.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study evaluated the use of a single miniplate for the treatment of mandibular angle fractures (MAF).

METHODS: Fifty patients with 53 MAF were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with the use of a single miniplate and were analyzed in this study.

RESULTS: Five patients with MAF had postoperative complications that required additional procedures. Three patients had postoperative infection, one patient complained of malocclusion in the first postoperative week, and one patient had miniplate exposure three months after surgery. Every additional procedure was performed in the office under local anesthesia without disruption of the initial fracture treatment. Postoperative maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) was performed in four patients. Treatment of MAF using a single miniplate was effective, with low morbidity and with low rates of postoperative complications. MAF can be treated without MMF, and stability is improved when long miniplates are used.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of a single miniplate is therefore encouraged. However, postoperative MMF should be considered with the presence of little contact between bone segments, malocclusion, or extensive tooth loss.