Intermaxillary fixation as co-adjuvant treatment for morbid obesity.
BACKGROUND
The effective long-term treatments for morbid obesity is bariatric surgery. However, the associated surgical and anesthetic risks led the authors to evaluate intermaxillary fixation, a less aggressive procedure, as a preoperative treatment in selected patients with morbid obesity.


METHODS
22 patients (5 male, 17 female, ages 16-53 years, with BMI 44.9+/-5.4 kg/m(2)) underwent intermaxillary fixation. The procedure consisted of fitting brackets on the front face of the teeth and posterior application of elastic bands to impede mouth opening.


RESULTS
At the end of 6 weeks, weight loss was 7.4+/-2.6%. There was general improvement in lipid profile, glycemia, and blood pressure. There was no recorded discomfort, pain, or any other difficulty during this treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Intermaxillary fixation can be used as a pre-surgical solution for weight reduction in preparation for bariatric surgery, improving co-morbid aspects such as blood pressure, glycemia, and lipid profile.
Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu (São Paulo), Brazil.
Helena Siqueira
HS
Vassimon
Daniela Regina
DR
Pigoli
Fausto Viterbo
FV
de Oliveira Neto
Aristides
A
Palhares
Adriana Lúcia Mendes
AL
Haddad
Carlos Roberto
CR
Padovani
Augusto
A
Mazzoni
Célia Regina
CR
Nogueira
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D002784:Cholesterol