OBJECTIVE: To compare between the intraoral and extraoral approaches in the management of mandibular angle fractures.
METHODOLOGY: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in the Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University. The study comprised patients with mandibular angle fractures who were divided in two equal groups: Intraoral Group (A) and Extraoral group (B). Patients were followed up post-operatively after 7 days, 14 days, 2 months and 6 months respectively. Patients were followed up to examine the interincisal distance by using a caliper. motor function of the facial nerve using House-Brackmann grading system. Also, the surgical time needed for incision and dissection was recoded intraoperatively.
RESULTS: A total of 14 patients with mandibular angle fracture were presented into the study. The age ranged from 18 to 50 years with mean age for group (A) (34.28 ±11.65) while for group (B), it was (39.85±20.61) with no significant difference between both groups (P=0.545). No significant difference was found between the two groups as regarding the mouth opening. Facial nerve function was reserved more in the intraoral group with no significant difference in all follow up intervals. Regarding time needed for incision and reflection measure in minutes, group (A) had a significantly lower time than group (B) which was(P<0.001). However, for the time needed for ORIF there was no significant difference between both group (P=0.198).