title: Modified towel-clamp technique to effect reduction of displaced mandible fractures.
abstract: We report a technique that uses a modified standard towel clamp, allowing a single surgeon to perform and maintain an anatomic reduction of displaced mandible fractures simultaneous with the application of internal fixation. The reduced convergent angle of the modified towel clamp allows bicortical engagement of the clamp, which prevents comminution of the fracture or the outer cortex of the mandible. Additionally, the modification allows the clamp to engage the bone with less exposure than conventional towel clamps. In our clinical experience of treating more than 100 mandible fractures a year, this technique proves superior to others described in the literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga 37403, USA.
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Sargent
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013525:Surgical Instruments