Treatment of linear mandibular fractures using a single 2.0-mm AO locking reconstruction plate: is a second plate necessary?

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the use of a single Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen (AO) 2.0-mm locking reconstruction plate for linear noncomminuted mandibular fractures without the use of a second plate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the clinical and radiologic data of 45 patients with 74 fractures (21 single fractures, 22 double fractures, and 2 triple fractures). Fracture locations were the symphysis (n = 35, 47.3%), body (n = 15, 20.3%), and angle (n = 24, 32.4%). We recorded the mechanism of injury, time between admission to the hospital and surgery, gender and age, temporary maxillomandibular fixation and its duration, and the surgical approach. Postsurgical complications that were recorded as minor did not require surgical intervention, whereas major complications required further surgical intervention. RESULTS: All patients had satisfactory fracture reduction and a successful treatment outcome without major complications. Ten patients (22.2%) developed minor complications. CONCLUSION: The present study has demonstrated that treating linear noncomminuted mandibular fractures with a single AO 2.0-mm locking reconstruction plates is associated with no major complications and sound bone healing in all patients