POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH MANDIBULAR ANGLE FRACTURES, TREATED WITH SINGLE PLATE

Introduction: In the past four decades, there has been an increasing interest in obtaining more immediate return to normal function by using different methods of direct fixation with an open approach and allowing anatomical reduction of the fragments. Objectives: The main objective of the study is to analyse the postoperative complications in patients with mandibular angle fractures, treated with single plate. Material and methods: This retrospective study was conducted in Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, CMH Rawalpindi during June 2019 to January 2020. 50 patients with insignificant medical history were involved in the study. The selected cases were treated by open reduction and internal fixation using single plate. Detailed case history was recorded and all patients were treated and observed by the same surgeon. Routine clinical, radiological, and haematological examination was carried out and recorded. Results: The data was collected from 50 patients. Mean age of patients was 30.95 ± 12.37 years. 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. Conclusion: It is concluded that 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.