SCREW RETAINED BAND WIRING VERSUS MINIPLATES for TREATMENT of ANTERIOR MANDIBULAR FRACTURES (RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL)

Objectives: Screw retained band wiring is a simple and fast method of achieving reduction simultaneously with mandibular fractures fixation as well as using minimal assistance along with low-cost instrumentation.
The aim of study is to compare clinically and radiographically the use of screw retained band wiring with conventional miniplates in treatment of anterior mandibular fractures.
Methods: Thirty patients, diagnosed with anterior mandibular fracture, were divided into two groups; group A included 15 patients who were treated with screw retained band wiring, while group B included 15 patients who were treated with two miniplates. Clinical follow up was conducted after one, two, four, six and twelve weeks. In addition, radiographic investigations were performed immediately postoperative and after three months to estimate accuracy of reduction and the mean bone density across the fracture line respectively.
Results: Clinically in both groups, no interfragmentary mobility was noticed after fracture reduction, normal occlusion was noted during twelve weeks. Statistically significant results were shown in surgery duration and sensory nerve function, along the whole follow up period. Also, radiographically, the average bone density improved statistically significantly in both groups A (p<0.001) and B (p<0.001) when comparing postoperative day 0 values to postoperative day 90 values.
Conclusions: Based on the clinical and radiographic outcomes of this study, screw retained band wiring consumed shorter operation time with less postoperative complications and better healing than miniplates.