External fixation for mandible fractures

Dental Implants Acting as External Fixation for the Fracture of Severe Atrophic Mandible: A Case Report

Treatment of edentulous and atrophic mandibular fractures is extremely difficult. Generally, mandibular fractures are repaired and fixed as internal fixation using a reconstruction plate or miniplates with intra- or extraoral approach. Few cases in which external fixation including a transmucosal fixation was performed have also been reported. We report a case of atrophic and edentulous mandibular fracture which was healed by the fixation using dental implants and implant-supported bridge.

Cervical Necrotizing Fasciitis: A Severe Sequela of Open Mandibular Fracture and Delay in Treatment

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) is a rare condition in the United States, with very few cases reported as a sequela of mandibular fracture. The authors describe the case of a 40-year-old man with poor oral health and no significant past medical history who developed CNF following delayed treatment of an open mandibular fracture, leading to life-threatening septic shock, thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein, and septic emboli to the lungs. Successful management of this patient was accomplished by serial surgical debridement, the administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics, and hemodynamic support. Eventual reconstruction was performed with external fixation of the mandible fracture and split-thickness skin grafting for the left neck and chest wound. The authors recommend early treatment of open mandibular fractures for immunocompromised patients or patients with poor oral hygiene to avoid the rare but potentially fatal complication of CNF and highlight external fixation as a useful technique in select cases of complex mandibular fractures.

Experience Of Using Internal Fixation In The Treatment Of Patients With Inflammatory Complications Of Mandibular Fractures: A Retrospective Study

Study goal — To evaluate the efficacy of plate osteosynthesis in the treatment of patients with inflammatory complications of mandibular fractures on a large sample. Material and Methods — We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records collected over 15 years in a group of patients with inflammatory complications of mandibular fractures. The analysis included medical records of patients who underwent plate osteosynthesis operations performed according to the surgical algorithm adopted in the clinic, in combination with a simultaneous directed antibacterial effect on the microflora of the pathological focus and osteoplastic replacement of defects. We identified 164 medical records meeting the search criteria distributed among two study groups. Group A included hospitalized patients with developed abscesses and phlegmons of soft tissues surrounding the fracture area. For them, two-stage surgical intervention was performed. Group B consisted of patients who had no suppurative process in soft tissues, which allowed them undergoing one-stage surgical treatment. Results — Good, satisfactory, and unsatisfactory surgical outcomes were obtained in 82.6%, 14.9%, and 2.4% of the patients, respectively. The differences between the comparison groups were not statistically significant. Conclusion — The clinical effectiveness of an integrated approach to the surgical treatment of patients with inflammatory complications of mandibular fractures, based on providing stable fixation of connected fragments as a critical factor in bone wound healing via osteosynthesis, was confirmed on large samples in both comparison groups.

Postoperative Computed Tomography for Facial Fractures

In order for a radiologist to create reports that are meaningful to facial reconstructive surgeons, an understanding of the principles that guide surgical management and the hardware employed is imperative. This article is intended to promote efficient and salient reporting by illustrating surgical approaches and rationale. Hardware selection can be inferred and a defined set of potential complications anticipated when assessing the adequacy of surgical reconstruction on postoperative computed tomography for midface, internal orbital, and mandible fractures.

Computer-assisted planning with 3D printing for mandibular reconstruction caused by a mandibular fracture with secondary osteomyelitis: A Case Report

Mandibular reconstructions are complex clinical pictures that require careful planning for functional and aesthetic outcomes. Virtual surgical planning and 3D printing are ideal to achieve a predictable result. Through "hybrid techniques" (prebending plates with 3D-models) and free software, this goal is within reach for clinics with limited financial resources.

The Effects of Frontal Trauma on 4 Interforaminal Dental Implants: A 3-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis Comparing Splinted and Unsplinted Implant Configurations

PURPOSE

With increased implant-prosthodontic rehabilitation for mandibular edentulism together with the increased life expectancy and activity of the elderly population, a greater number of implant patients may be at risk of facial trauma. The aim of this 3-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA) was to evaluate the biomechanical effects of the edentulous mandible (EM) with and without implants exposed to frontal facial trauma including assessment of the fracture risk of different mandibular areas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

By use of a 3D FEA, our experimental study design comprised 3 different models (model A, EM; model B, EM with 4 unsplinted interforaminal implants; and model C, EM with 4 splinted interforaminal implants) exposed to application of symphyseal frontal trauma of 2 MPa. In 3 defined regions of interest (ROIs) (ROI 1, symphyseal area; ROI 2, mental foraminal area; and ROI 3, condylar neck), the effective stress was measured at predefined sites in the superficial cortical mandibular area. The stress values of all ROIs evaluated were compared within each model (intramodel) as well as between the 3 models (intermodel).

RESULTS

For all models evaluated, a frontal traumatic load generated the highest stress levels in the condylar neck. However, for both models with implants (models B and C), the stress values were reduced significantly (P < .01) in the condylar neck region (ROI 3) but increased significantly (P < .001) in the mental foraminal area (ROI 2) compared with the EM model without implants. For the symphyseal area (ROI 1) evaluated, the unsplinted 4-implant model (model B) presented significantly (P < .001) higher stress values than the splinted implant model (model C) when frontal forces were applied.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of splinting or lack of splinting of 4 interforaminal implants, force absorption or transmission may shift the predominant risk factor from the condylar neck to the corpus or foramen mandibulae. However, splinting of 4 interforaminal implants may be beneficial in reducing the risk of bone fracture by providing protection for anterior risk situations.

Treatment of comminutive fractures by firearm projectiles with adapted wrist external fixator

INTRODUCTION

Facial and mandibular aggression with gunshot wound (GSW) is highly complex and represents a challenge for the assistant surgical team because in addition to the inherent lethal potential, they have the capacity for destruction and mutilation caused by the high kinetic energy conferred to the firearm projectile. Among these lesions, comminutive mandibular fractures are difficult to treat because the anatomical planes are distorted, soft tissues are in severe disarrangement, and bone fragments are without periosteum, which, if opted for an open treatment, with internal fixation, favor the development of soft tissue infections, osteomyelitis, and suture dehiscence. The treatment of comminuted mandibular fractures with external fixator, widely used during the Second World War, represents a modality of treatment that minimizes the risks of failure, since it allows stabilization of the fractured mandible with minimal aggression to the soft tissues.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to report three cases where surgical procedures were performed to treat comminuted mandible fractures with the adaptation of specific external orthopedic fixator for wrist.

Twenty-four years of experience in management of complex mandibular fractures with low cost, custom-made mandibular external fixation: A 65-patient series

INTRODUCTION

Ginestet introduced the first external device used to fix the mandible in 1936. In 1949, Morris introduced a biphasic fixation device. This "Joe Hall Morris fixation" design led to use of a self-crafted external fixator based on pins connected by a breathing tube filled with dental resin. The objective of this study was to present our surgical results with this device through a 65-patient series.

METHODS

This retrospective study included all the patients who benefited from the self-crafted mandibular external fixator at our Oral and Maxillofacial department from 1995 to 2019. Sixty-five patients were allocated into two groups. There were 39 patients in the temporary stabilisation (TS) group and 26 in the bone healing (BH) group. Functional criteria were investigated, including mouth opening limitations and occlusal abnormalities. Aesthetic evaluation focused on skin healing, evaluated by both surgeon and patient.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients exhibited spontaneous bone healing during their immobilisation period and two patients developed a pseudoarthrosis in the BH group. Most TS group patients benefited from secondary management by bone graft, bone free flap, or distraction osteogenesis. Few complications were noted with our technique during the study period.

CONCLUSION

Our self-crafted external fixation with Joe Hall Morris fixation style is a valuable option for external stabilisation of the lower third of the face.

Suitability of Wrist External Fixator for Treatment of Mandibular Fracture

The mandibular fracture is one of the most commonly fractures of the facial bones. In high-energy traumas, a comminuted mandible fracture may occur. The closed reduction with external fixator is an interesting alternative for these types of fractures. The aim of this article is to report the case of a patient with comminuted fracture in the right mandibular body, whose surgical treatment was the noninvasive reduction of fracture and stabilization using a Colles' wrist external fixator. After 1 year of follow-up, the patient is without complaints, with satisfactory dental occlusion, adequate contour, and mandibular alignment. External fixation with wrist orthopedic fixators adapted to the mandible provides many advantages owing to its versatility and simplicity of use. Therefore, this method should be remembered as a valid and affordable option for the treatment of complex lesions when indicated correctly.

Multidetector CT of Mandibular Fractures, Reductions, and Complications: A Clinically Relevant Primer for the Radiologist

After the nasal bones, the mandible is the second most common site of facial fractures, and mandibular fractures frequently require open reduction. In the trauma injury setting, multidetector computed tomography (CT) has become the cornerstone imaging modality for determining the most appropriate treatment management, fixation method, and surgical approach. Multidetector CT is also used to assess the adequacy of the reduction and evaluate potential complications in the postoperative period. For successful restoration of the mandible's form and function, as well as management of posttraumatic and postoperative complications, reconstructive surgeons are required to have a detailed understanding of mandibular biomechanics, occlusion, and anatomy. To provide added value in the diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up of mandibular fractures, radiologists should be aware of these concepts. Knowledge of the techniques commonly used to achieve occlusal and anatomic reduction and of the rationale behind the range of available treatment options for different injury patterns-from isolated and nondisplaced fractures to multisite and comminuted fractures-also is essential. This article focuses on the use of multidetector CT for pre- and postoperative evaluation of mandibular fractures and outlines fundamental concepts of diagnosis and management-beginning with an explanation of common fracture patterns and their biomechanical underpinnings, and followed by a review of the common postoperative appearances of these fractures after semirigid and rigid fixation procedures. Specific considerations regarding fractures in different regions of the tooth-bearing and non-tooth-bearing mandible and the unique issues pertaining to the edentulous atrophic mandible are reviewed, and key features that distinguish major from minor complications are described. (©)RSNA, 2016.