Fixation of Fractures at Anterior Transition Zone Using Three Different Miniplates Configurations

Assessment of Mental Nerve Integrity During Fixation of Fractures at Anterior Transition Zone Using Three Different Miniplates Configurations

Fractures involving the anterior transition zone of the mandible are frequently encountered and hold particular clinical significance due to the presence of the mental nerve. Consequently, mental nerve paresthesia is among the common postoperative complications associated with these fractures. To assess the mental nerve functional integrity during fixation of fractures at the anterior transition zone using twin fork-miniplate, 3d interlocking miniplate and two miniplates

A total of 36 patients (they were divided into three groups 16 patients in each group ) with parasymphyseal-body fractures , one group was treated with twin-fork miniplate , the second group was treated using 3d interlocking miniplate and the third one was treated with conventional two miniplates. Postoperative evaluation of the mental nerve was conducted using both subjective and objective methods at intervals of 24 hours, and at 1, 4, 6 and 12 weeks. Furthermore, an electrophysiological study was performed at 6 weeks postoperatively to measure the mental nerve's amplitude, onset latency and conduction velocity

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients suffering from recent, uninfected and minimally displaced or unfavorable fractures at parasymphysis-body region of the mandible
• Adult patients from 20-40 years old with no gender predilection that agreed to present for follow-up visits for a minimum postoperative period of 3 months.
• A fracture that demands open reduction and internal fixation.
• The patient medically fit for general anesthesia.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Medically compromised patients contradicting operation.
• Pathological fracture.
• An old fracture.
• Completely edentulous patient.
• Patients with frank infection.
• Patients with a comminuted fracture.