Clinical applicability of three-dimensional plates in mandibular angle fractures - A review

Abstract

Fractures involving the angle of the mandible has been a long-term controversy next only to the condylar fractures. Several methods and hardware configurations exist in literature with its attendant advantages and disadvantages. A study was conducted to provide a comprehensive review of existing literature regarding the utility of three-dimensional plates (3DPs) in the management of mandibular angle fractures (MAFs). Electronic database was searched according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines without date and language restrictions. The inclusion criteria were human studies in the form of randomized control trials, non-randomized trials and comparative studies, retrospective studies, prospective studies, and observational studies with at least one of the treatment arms including management of MAF using 3DP. Case reports/case series, technical notes, letters to the editor, studies which do not report the results of MAF management with 3DP separate from other fractures of the mandible, and laboratory/model/computer simulation-based/ animal studies were excluded. The relevant data of the selected articles were tabulated and compiled for review. Twenty-seven articles were included in the review among which 3 were systematic reviews, 12 were found to be observational studies in a prospective or retrospective manner without controls, and 12 were comparative studies with a control group. Based on the review, it can be concluded that 3DP in MAF can be used as an effective alternative to standard miniplates with comparable clinical utility if not superior but with a definite inclination toward less complications.