The aim of our study was to compare the biomechanical stability of three different systems used to fix mandibular condylar fractures on synthetic polyurethane mandibles using a servohydraulic testing unit and finite element analysis (FEA). We measured the resistance to displacement loads causing 1.75 and 3.5mm displacements of the fragments, and the maximum resistance values before failure of the fixation system in 30 condylar necks of 15 polyurethane mandible models. The three subgroups investigated were arranged as a triangular plate (n=10), a quadrangular plate (n=10), and a straight miniplate (n=10). The most successful fixation pattern was achieved with two straight four-hole miniplates. However, the triangular plate can easily be applied as a second option by an endoscopic approach. The rectangular plates showed no success in mandibular condylar fractures.
Keywords: biomechanics; finite element analysis; mandibular condyle; surgical fixation.
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