Bioabsorbable plates versus metal miniplate systems for use in endoscope-assisted open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular subcondylar fractures.

PURPOSE: To compare bioabsorbable plates with metal miniplate systems for use in endoscope-assisted open reduction and internal fixation (EAORIF) of mandibular subcondylar fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients with mandibular subcondylar fractures treated with EAORIF using bioabsorbable unsintered hydroxyapatite/poly l-lactide composite plates or titanium miniplate systems. The outcome variables included preoperative fracture conditions, postoperative stability during fracture healing, and complications during the follow-up period. Other variables included clinical characteristics (age, sex, fracture site, and total follow-up duration) and intra- and postoperative data (surgical duration, duration of intermaxillary fixation/elastic band guidance). Variables were evaluated using descriptive statistics and compared between groups using the Mann-Whitney test and the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, as appropriate.

RESULTS: In total, 28 patients were analyzed, including 13 who underwent EAORIF using bioabsorbable plates and 15 who underwent EAORIF using titanium miniplates. With the exception of second surgery for plate removal, none of the assessed variables showed significant differences between the two groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that EAORIF using biodegradable plates is a stable and reliable method for the management of mandibular subcondylar fractures and eliminates the need for secondary surgery for plate removal.