title: Effect of intermaxillary fixation on pulmonary function.
abstract: A study to measure the pulmonary effects of intermaxillary fixation (IMF) demonstrated that this technique produces a significant degree of airway obstruction. This may be dangerous to patients with limited respiratory reserve due to chronic obstructive airways disease. The impairment of pulmonary function can be assessed pre-operatively and should be estimated in high risk patients. Alternative management of stabilization of jaw fractures that avoid IMF should be considered in such patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Halton General Hospital, Runcorn, U.K.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Cawood
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007572:Jaw Fractures / Q000628:therapy*; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests