Use of ultrasound-activated resorbable sheets and pins in the management of fractures of the condylar neck of the mandible: a case series.

The need to treat fractures of the mandibular condyle remains controversial, but when the decision to operate has been made, then multiple forms of fixation are advocated. Traditionally, metal plates and screws have been used, but this is thought to have several disadvantages, particularly in the growing skeleton. Resorbable fixation for maxillofacial fractures has not gained widespread acceptance because of technical difficulties with the materials and concern about inflammatory reactions during their resorption. Because not all patients have typical fracture patterns that fit the size and shape of metal plates, mouldable resorbable fixation materials can be useful, and ultrasound-activated resorbable sheets and pins have the necessary stability to fix fractures of the condylar neck. We present a series of patients in whom ultrasound-activated resorbable sheets and pins were used to fix condylar fractures in which the fracture pattern did not permit the use of stable metal fixation, or the age of the patient in our opinion precluded the use of metal fixation. There were no perioperative complications and no problems related to the stability of the fixation. Minor swelling relating to the resorption of the material in one case did not require any management.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery - a case of mistaken identity?

There are international grumbles from those perturbed by an impending identity crisis within oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS). This unrest is further compounded by scattered suggestions that a name change may prove beneficial in raising the profile of OMFS. The purpose of this paper is to consider novel methods of increasing awareness of the specialty amongst the public, primary and secondary care colleagues by collecting a consensus of thoughts and opinions regarding the specialty's identity and the appropriate and holistic nomenclature of OMFS. Approximately 300 eight-point questionnaires were distributed internationally with a response rate, via both email and post, of approximately 25% (72). Thirty-two percent of respondents considered there to be an identity crisis within OMFS although just 18% felt that a specialty name change would be beneficial. The results suggest that the problem with identity relates more to incapacity to convey the message of OMFS rather than nomenclature.