Management of paediatric mandibular condylar fractures with screw-based semi-rigid intermaxillary fixation.
This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of screw-based semi-rigid intermaxillary fixation (IMF) combined with a specially designed occlusal splint in the conservative treatment of paediatric mandibular condylar fractures. Thirteen paediatric patients with 20 sides of condylar fractures treated with semi-rigid IMF were analyzed retrospectively. Semi-rigid IMF was achieved by inserting self-drilling IMF screws into the anterior alveolar bone of the maxilla and mandible suspended with elastic bands. An occlusal splint with a molar fulcrum was used for functional repositioning of the condylar fragment. After 4 weeks, the screws and occlusal splint were removed. During a mean period of 28.6 months' follow-up, the patients' maximal mouth opening increased to a mean of 37.69 mm. Clinical and radiological examinations revealed satisfactory results in facial symmetry and condylar remodelling. No clinical symptoms or radiographic evidence showed dental injuries associated with screw insertion. This study suggests that this method might be a safe, easy, and effective management of paediatric condylar fractures.
The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, People's Republic of China.
Y
Y
Wu
X
X
Long
W
W
Fang
B
B
Li
Y
Y
Cheng
M
M
Deng
H
H
Cai
Z
Z
Gong
D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000601:surgery; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology; D001863:Bone Screws; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D004868:Equipment Failure; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000293:injuries*; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000628:therapy*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome