Treatment of mandibular angle fractures using two mini dynamic compression plates

Thirty patients with 31 fractures of the mandibular angle were treated by open reduction and internal fixation using two mini dynamic compression plates with self-threading screws placed through a transoral incision with transbuccal trochar instrumentation. None of the patients were placed into postsurgical maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) or training elastics. Complications requiring secondary surgical intervention occurred in nine fractures (29%). Three were early infections requiring incision and drainage, removal of the hardware, and postoperative MMF. One was a nonunion with malocclusion requiring application of a more rigid bone plate. Five fractures developed late chronic swelling and low-grade infection requiring plate removal. Osseous union had occurred in these cases and no MMF was necessary. The use of two mini dynamic compression plates in the manner done in this study was found to be a relatively easy but unpredictable treatment for fractures of the mandibular angle.