RESUMO
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficiency of locking plates and screw system in the treatment of mandibular fracture surgery, by comparing them with the conventional system. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A protocol for selection of patients with mandibular fractures was developed. One hundred patients were treated by locking plates and screw system and another 100 patients were treated with the conventional system. The patients were prospectively evaluated for the duration of surgery, difficulties encountered during surgery, neurologic changes, postsurgical occlusal relationship, adequacy of reduction and postsurgical complications. Data were compared for statistical significance with Chi-square test and Z-test. RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference in postoperative infection, postoperative occlusal discrepancy, postoperative plate fracture and postoperative screw loosening and mobility of the fractured fragments and also the working time between the two systems. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study are comparable with other published data and support the notion that the locking miniplate system is a valid alternative to conventional miniplates with several advantages, the only drawback being the additional working time required during adaptation of this hardware.