What is a better modality of fixation in mandibular angle fractures, single miniplate or two miniplates? A single-blind comparative study.

Background: Mandibular angle fractures constitute a significant proportion (23%-42%) of all mandibular fractures. A persistent controversy surrounds the optimal approach for the fixation of mandibular angle fractures: whether to employ a single miniplate or two miniplates. This study aims to assess the comparative efficacy of employing a single miniplate versus two miniplates for the fixation of mandibular angle fractures.

Material and methods: Twenty male patients diagnosed with mandibular angle fractures were randomly assigned to either group I or group II. Group I received treatment with a single miniplate positioned at the superior border, while group II underwent fixation with two miniplates, one at the superior border and the other at the lateral aspect of the mandibular angle. Postoperatively, patients were evaluated for occlusal stability, infection, pain, trismus, and mediolateral flaring of the fracture segments at the lower border.

Results: Group I, with a mean age of 33.90 years (range: 25-45 years), and group II, with a mean age of 28.60 years (range: 20-45 years), did not exhibit any complaints of malocclusion. In group II, infection occurred in two patients (20%), whereas no infections were observed in group I, and this difference was not statistically significant (X ² = 2.22, P = 0.13). Neither group showed mediolateral flaring of the lower border, with (X ² = 0.00; P = 1.00). Both groups experienced pain and trismus, but the differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The utilization of two miniplates for the treatment of mandibular angle fractures does not confer any discernible advantage over the use of a single plate.