The use of a single titanium microplate in displaced pediatric parasymphysial mandibular fractures

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of one titanium microplatein the fixation of displaced pediatric parasymphysial mandibular fractures.Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 7 children in the mixed dentition stage withdisplaced parasymphysial fracture. Patients’ age ranged between 5 years 9 months and 8 years4 months with an average of 7 years 1 month. Fractured bone segments were exposed, reducedand then fixed using 1.5 linear microplates at the inferior border of the mandible using monocorticalscrews, with 1.5 mm in diameter and 5 mm in length. Stainless steel wire was used as a tensionband by ligating the teeth around the fracture line. Patients were followed up for occlusion andstability clinically and radiographically (panoramic X-ray and CT).Results: According to clinical and radiographic post-operative follow-up, none of the patientsshowed displacement of the fixed bony segments.Conclusion: The present study concluded that using one microplate with 1.5 monocortical microscrewsand dental tension band by a stainless steel wire could be adequate for fixing displacedpediatric parasymphysial mandibular fractures. This technique has the following advantages:decreases the amount of titanium used, decreases the risk of injury of the roots and teeth buds,and decreases the cost and time of surgery.