Double Y-shaped miniplate versus standard miniplate in the management of mandibular fractures- A prospective clinical study

The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of standard miniplate and Double Y-shaped miniplate in the management of mandibular fractures.

The present study was conducted in 16 patients, divided into two groups of 8 patients each (Group A: Fixation was done with Double- Y shaped miniplate and Group B: Fixation was done using standard miniplates). The preoperative assessment includedage, gender ,etiology of fracture, site of the fracture, occlusion status, degree of fracture displacement, neurosensory deficit and radiographic assessment. Intraoperative evaluation included assessment of plating time. Postoperative assessment of Pain, postoperative occlusion, clinical stability, mouth opening and neurosensory deficit was done clinically on 1^st postoperative day, 7^th day, 4^th week, 6^th week and 12^th week. Radiographic evaluation was done at 1^st postoperative day, subsequently at 1^st month and 3^rd month using orthopentomogram for assessing pattern of bone healing and fracture reduction.

The average time taken for placement of Double Y-shaped miniplate (10.88±2.10 minutes) was significantly less when compared to standard miniplates(18.38±4.65 minutes). Statistically insignificant difference was seen in the mean radiographic bone density between both the groups and within each group.

Double Y-shaped miniplate fixation in mandibular fractures is a viable alternative to standard miniplate fixation with significantly less operating time, stable postoperative occlusion, lesser insertion of implant material and less trauma to periosteum.