Comparative Assessment of Microplates with Miniplates in the Fixation of Midface Fractures: A Prospective Study

Aim The aim of this study was to compare the treatment outcome following fixation of midface fractures with microplates to that of miniplates. Materials and Methods The prospective study included 30 patients with confirmed diagnosis of midface fractures (Le Fort I, II, III, ZMC fractures or combination) and who gave written informed consent. The patients were categorized into microplate (1.2 mm) group and miniplate (2.0 mm) group with 15 patients in each group using computer-generated randomization. The clinical parameters like occlusion, stability of fixation, chewing efficiency, pain, infection, paresthesia, plate exposure, palpability, aesthetic outcomes and patient's perspective were assessed on postoperative day 1, day 3, after 1 week, 1 month and after 3 months. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of occlusion, stability of fixation, chewing efficiency, pain, infection, paresthesia, plate exposure, aesthetic outcomes and patient's perspective. One patient in microplate group and five patients in miniplate group complained of plate palpability (P = 0.16), suggesting clinically significant difference but statistically no significant difference. Conclusion Microplate osteosynthesis gives equivalent results compared to miniplate osteosynthesis, in the fixation of midface fractures in terms of stability and function and clinically superior in terms of aesthetics.