ORIGINAL ARTICLE Comparison of Erich arch bar versus embrasure wires for intraoperative intermaxillary fixation in mandibular fractures Ashish Shrikant Satpute 1 & Syed Ahmed Mohiuddin 1 & Amol Madhukar Doiphode 1 & Sujay Sanjay Kulkarni 1 & Ahtesham Ahmad Qureshi 1 & Swapnil Bharat Jadhav 1 Received: 18 May 2018 /Accepted: 26 September 2018 # Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2018 Abstract Purpose Intermaxillary fixation (IMF) is a fundamental principle in the management of mandibular fractures but with recent advent of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), use of IMF is almost limited intraoperatively. Therefore, we compared the efficacy of Erich arch bar versus embrasure wires for intraoperative IMF in mandibular fractures. Method This prospective study was comprised of 50 patients with mandibular fractures who required ORIF with intraoperative IMF. Patients were categorized into two groups of 25 patients each: Erich arch bar technique was used for group A and embrasure wire technique for group B. Parameters were time taken for IMF, needle stick injury, occlusal stability, iatrogenic complications, and periodontal status of patients. Statistical analysis Chi-squared test and unpaired t test analyses was run on IBM SPSS 21.0 version (2015) software. Result Mean time for placing embrasure wire (3.48 min) was significantly less than that for Erich arch bar (48.08 min). Needle stick injury rates to the operator as well as the assistants were significantly less when using the embrasure wire than the Erich arch bar. The Erich arch bar had significantly superior postoperative occlusion stability. Iatrogenic injury was more common when placing the Erich arch bar than the embrasure wire. Postoperative oral hygiene status was good in patients that received the embrasure wire. Conclusion Embrasure wire technique is a quick, easy, and reliable technique for minimally or moderately displaced fractured mandible and had better clinical outcomes than did patients that underwent the Erich arch bar technique. Keywords IMF (intermaxillary fixation) . MMF (maxillomandibular fixation) . ORIF (open reduction and internal fixation) . OHI-S (oral hygiene index (simplified)) Introduction Maxillofacial injuries constitute one of the common and major health problems worldwide. Maxillofacial fractures are often associated with substantial morbidity, deformity, loss of func- tion, and high treatment cost. The main cause of facial injuries is from road traffic accidents, followed by interpersonal vio- lence. Mandible fracture is the most common fractured bone of the face [1]. The important factors to be considered while treating mandibular fractures are reduction, fixation, immobi- lization, and occlusal stability. The intermaxillary fixation (IMF) provides a stable base, from which facial form and function can be restored. However, in recent practice with the advent of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), the use of IMF is almost limited intraoperatively. The arch bar technique is being used since World War I. In spite of its simplicity and reliability, there are numerous * Ashish Shrikant Satpute shshsatpute@gmail.com Syed Ahmed Mohiuddin drsyedahmed28@yahoomail.com Amol Madhukar Doiphode dramolmd@gmail.com Sujay Sanjay Kulkarni k.jay1990@gmail.com Ahtesham Ahmad Qureshi drahtesham007@yahoo.co.in Swapnil Bharat Jadhav swapniljadhav0711@gmail.com 1 Maharashtra Institute of Dental Sciences & Research, Dental College, M.I.T Medical Campus, Vishnathpurum, Latur 413512, India Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery https://doi.org/10.1007/s10006-018-0723-9