Comparison of Transbuccal Versus Transoral Approach For Management of Mandibular Angle Fractures

Objective: To compare the outcomes of a transbuccal approach with an intraoral approach for managing mandibular angle fractures. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry (AFID), Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from May 2021 to May 2022. Methodology: A total of 140 patients with mandibular angle fractures with an age range of 15–60 years were enrolled. Group-l was treated using transbuccal approach, and Group-2 using intraoral approach. Measurements of the fracture gap were conducted on three defined points with a manual ruler. All patients were instructed to have follow-up visits at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. On follow-up visit after 1 week, occlusal discrepancy was noted, whether present or not, after 3 months, infection if present, was noted, necessitating the removal of all infected hardware. Results: Mean percentage of patients treated with the intraoral approach who developed occlusal discrepancy at 1 week postoperatively was 45.71% compared with 8.58% patients who were treated with transbuccal approach. Postoperative infection after 3 months was found to be 10.0% with transbuccal approach, compared to 32.86% with intraoral approach. Conclusion: In comparison to intraoral technique, transbuccal approach to managing mandibular angle fractures offered superior fracture reduction and reduced infection and occlusal discrepancy.