In vitro comparison of effects on stabilization of various fixation methods used in surgical treatment of mandibular corpus fractures

Aim: The mandibular corpus region of the maxillofacial complex is one of the areas most frequently exposed to trauma. The aim of our study was to compare the biomechanical features of 4 different fixation methods, in which mandibular corpus fractures were treated. Material and Methods: The study employed 24 fresh sheep hemi-mandible replicas, which simulated simple fractures of the mandibular body, divided into four groups. 2.00 mm system titanium plate with four holes were used in all the groups and each of it consisted of 6 hemi-mandibles. First group contained one mini plates in the neutral zones, second group contained two plates in the tension and compression zones, third group contained an arch bar in tension zones(in the dental area) and a miniplate in the neutral zones, fourth group contained fiber splint in tension zones (in dental area) and a mini plate in the neutral zones. In all groups, the mini plates were placed in the osteosynthesis lines described by Champy. Subsequently, all of the hemimandibles were subjected to a vertical load on the servohydraulic tester until the fixation materials showed permanent deformation. The data was evaluated using "BlueHill 2" software. Results: The peak load values indicated that no statistically significant difference was found between the single mini plate fiber splint and double mini plate group (p=0,818). No statistically significant difference was found between the single miniplate fiber splint and single mini plate arch bar groups (p=0,065). However statistically significant differences were found between all other groups in terms of peak load values. In terms of peak displacement values; A statistically significant difference was not observed between the single mini plate fiber splint and double mini plate group (p=0,957) and statistically significant differences were found between all other groups. Conclusion: In our study, it was observed that the single mini plate group was at the lowest level in terms of fixation stabilization. Fiber splint on fracture fixation is considered an alternative to arch bars. However, in cases where the use of double mini plates is disadvantageous, fiber splint supported single plate can be used. Key Words: Mandibular Corpus Fractures, Fixation Systems, Stability