Aim: To compare and evaluate treatment outcome and postoperative complications in subcondylar fractures of mandible-single L shape plate versus two L shape plate-using plate on plate technique.
Materials and methods: The clinical trial had a total of ten patients (ten unilateral subcondylar fracture sites), which were divided randomly into two groups of five each. Group I patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation with single L shaped miniplate and Group II ORIF was done with two L shaped miniplates by plate on plate technique.
Results: Both the groups showed comparable results in terms of postoperative complications. Few cases in Group I presented with minor occlusal discrepancy which was easily corrected with transitional inter-maxillary fixation(IMF) for 1 week, and none of the Group II cases required postoperative IMF, but stability in Group II was better than Group I.
Conclusion: The results of this trial suggested that the treatment of mandibular condylar fractures with 2 (2-D) plates placed one over the other is better suited than conventionally practiced single-plate fixation. Increased 3-dimensional stability, low morbidity and infection rates are the advantages offered by 2-plate technique of ours.
Keywords: 3D plates; Miniplates; Plate on plate; Subcondylar fracture.