Seur K plate versus lateral border miniplate for fixation of isolated mandibular angle fracture

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess fracture stability and postoperative complications in patients with isolated mandibular angle fractures after open reduction and fixation with external oblique ridge six-hole non-compression Suer K miniplate compared to lateral border conventional six-hole non-compression titanium straight miniplate. The study was conducted on 24 patients divided randomly into two equal groups according to the used plates. Intraoperative time was measured, occlusion and edema were assessed in both groups. Postoperative CT was performed immediately and after 3 months. Intraoperative was longer for the study group (43.6 ± 8.7 minutes) compared to the control group (36.3 ± 11.2 minutes), with no statistical significance difference between the two groups (P-value 0.09). Regarding occlusion and edema, the study group showed slightly better results after 1 week and 1 month, with no statistical significance difference between the two groups (P-value 0.59, 0.478, 0.53, 0.53, respectively). Interramal distance change showed highly stable and comparable results (0.067 ± 0.063 mm control, 0.073 ± 0.044 mm study) with no statistical significance difference between the groups (P-value 0.76). This study showed that Seur K plate is a safe and effective alternative to the single miniplate in treating non comminuted minimally displaced angle fractures.