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Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and reliability of fracture management in the anterior mandible using miniplates (MPs), lag screws (LSs), three-dimensional (3D) plates, and Herbert screws. Materials and Methods: The study consists of forty patients randomly divided into four groups of ten, undergoing open reduction internal fixation of anterior mandible fractures using MPs, LSs, 3D plates, or Herbert screw. All the patients were evaluated for stability of fracture fragments, duration of procedure, requirement of maxillomandibular fixation, and other associated complications. Results: The results of this study showed that each fixation device has its own merits and demerits. The rectangular plates achieved good stability, but its placement and adaptation was challenging in certain clinical scenarios when the anterior mandibular height was less, especially in females and in situations where the fracture line was in close proximity to the mental foramen. The placement of LS and Herbert screw was technique sensitive but did achieve good initial stability in addition to shortening the procedure time. The MPs were more versatile but required more operating time and hardware for the management of the anterior mandibular fractures. Conclusion: All of these modalities were able to achieve satisfactory final outcome. The rigid fixation techniques achieved similar results with less hardware and required lesser times. The MP fixation techniques, on the other hand, are more versatile and less technique sensitive.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the necessity and/or effectiveness of antibiotics in cases with maxillofacial trauma and emphasise the administration of antibiotics in maxillofacial fractures indicated for open reduction and rigid internal fixation (ORIF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a single blind, prospective, randomized clinical trial composed of subjects who presented with non-comminuted, linear fractures of the mandible and were treated by ORIF via an intraoral approach. One hundred and forty-four subjects (2011–2015) who belonged to the above entities were randomly categorized into 2 groups of 72 each, on lottery method. Patients in Group A were administered a 5 day course of antibiotic (1 day IV antibiotics followed by 4 days oral) while patients in Group B received a 1 day course of IV antibiotic (1 dose post op). Both the groups were followed up on the 1st day, 3rd day, 1st week, 1st month, 3rd month post operatively and were evaluated for pain, swelling, infection, fever, spontaneous wound dehiscence, purulent discharge and any other adverse effects. RESULTS: Post operative infection when measured clinically and radiographically was comparatively higher in Group B. Out of 72 patients in both the groups, 5 patients each in Group A and Group B reported with wound dehiscence, 9 patients in both groups developed pyrexia. CONCLUSION: Though the post operative infection was slightly more in Group B compared to Group A, 1 day antibiotic regimen was found to be equally effective when compared to 5 day regimen and helps in reducing the after effects, superinfection and antibiotic resistance. It has better patient compliance and is cost effective.