What is the role of nutrition counseling in the management of isolated mandible fractures?

OBJECTIVE: Providing perioperative nutrition counseling may improve operative outcomes. It is unclear, however, whether this benefit translates to oral and maxillofacial surgery patients. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of nutrition counseling on operative outcomes and patient satisfaction in those undergoing surgery for mandible fractures. STUDY DESIGN: The investigators implemented a retrospective cohort study. The predictor variable was perioperative nutrition counseling by a registered dietitian (RD). The main outcome variables were weight change, postoperative complications, and results of a survey that evaluated the perioperative experience. RESULTS: Statistical analyses were conducted on a sample of 200 patients (mean age: 34 ± 14 years; 87% males). Overall, there was no difference in percent weight change between those who received nutrition counseling and those who did not (P = .46). Those who received nutrition counseling had fewer postoperative complications (3% vs 11%; adjusted P = .038). Patients who received nutrition counseling from an RD were more satisfied with the nutrition advice they received (P = .0375). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that perioperative nutrition counseling by an RD in the management of isolated mandible fractures has no effect on weight change but is associated with decreased postoperative complications and increased patient satisfaction with the nutrition advice they receive.

Epidemiología de las fracturas mandibulares tratadas quirúrgicamente en el Instituto Traumatológico de Santiago (Chile): 10 años de revisión / Epidemiology of surgically treated jaw fractures in the Traumatology Institute of Santiago (Chile): a 10-year review

Los traumatismos en Chile son la tercera causa de muerte en la población general y la primera entre jóvenes. Se ha reportado una epidemiología variable alrededor del mundo asociada a diferencias demográficas y socioculturales, con escasos estudios en Latinoamérica. Objetivo. Conocer la epidemiología de las fracturas mandibulares en el Instituto Traumatológico de Santiago, Chile. Material y método. Estudio retrospectivo descriptivo de tipo cuantitativo en el Servicio de Cirugía Maxilofacial del IT, consistente en la recolección de datos mediante revisión de fichas clínicas de pacientes operados por fracturas mandibulares entre enero de 2001 y diciembre de 2010. Los datos fueron recopilados utilizando una base de datos Microsoft Access 2007 y luego tabulados y graficados con Microsoft Excel 2007. Resultados. De un universo de 783 fracturas faciales, 240 fichas de fracturas mandibulares operadas estuvieron disponibles para su análisis. La proporción hombres:mujeres fue de 5,9:1 y el grupo etario más afectado fue aquel entre 20 y 29 años. Las agresiones por terceros fueron su causa más frecuente. La mayoría de los pacientes fueron tratados en un promedio de 8,6 días desde su ingreso. En conclusión, estos resultados en general son concordantes con la literatura, salvo asociaciones entre sitio anatómico afectado y etiología (AU)

The traumatic injuries in Chile are the third cause of death in the general population and the first in young people. Their epidemiology varies around the world, and is linked to demographic and sociocultural differences, with few studies in Latin America. Objective. To determine epidemiological profile of the jaw bone fractures in the Traumatology Institute (IT) of Santiago, Chile. Material and method. Retrospective descriptive and quantitative study was conducted in the Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the IT, developed by recording data from a review of clinical records of patients with surgicaly treated jaw fractures. Data were collected between January-2001 and December-2010 using Microsoft Access 2007© and then tabulated and plotted using Microsoft Excel 2007©. Results. Out of a total of 783 facial fractures, 240 clinical files of surgically treated jaw fractures were available for analysis. The male:female ratio was 5.9:1, and the most afected age group was between 20 and 29 years old. The most frequent cause of the fracture was aggressions. Most patients were treated in an average of 8.6 days from admission. In conclusion, these results are consistent with the literature, except for the associations between the affected anatomical site and etiology (AU)

[Superolateral dislocation of the temporomadibular joint: Case report]. / Luxations supéro-externes bilatérales de l'articulation temporo-mandibulaire: à propos d'un cas.

INTRODUCTION: Superolateral disclocations of the temporomandibular joint are rare. They mostly occur after high-energy trauma and are frequently associated with fractures of the mandibular body. CASE REPORT: A 35-year-old man was admitted for the management of a high-energy craniofacial trauma due to a road accident. The initial assessment revealed bilateral superolateral temporomandibular joint disclocations, with bilateral sagittal fractures of the condyle head and a fracture of the right parasymphysis. The treatment consisted in an external reduction of both condyles, followed by open reduction and internal fixation of the parasymphysis. The patient quickly started physiotherapy after the procedure and recovered a normal mouth opening after a month of follow-up. DISCUSSION: For most authors, a quick management of superolateral dislocations is necessary in order to achieve a proper reduction of the temporomandibular joint dislocation and avoid surgical reduction. Temporomandibular joint ankylosis is the main complication of such lesions. Early physiotherapy is indicated in order to prevent ankylosis.

Implant-supported rehabilitation after treatment of atrophic mandibular fractures: report of two cases.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to present options of rehabilitation with dental implants in two cases of severely atrophic mandibles (<10 mm) after rigid internal fixation of fractures. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Two patients who sustained fractures in severely atrophic mandibles with less than 10 mm of bone height were treated by open reduction and internal fixation through a transcervical access. Internal fixation was obtained with 2.4-mm locking reconstruction plates. The first patient presented satisfactory bone height at the area between the mental foramens and after 2 years, received flapless guided implants in the anterior mandible and an immediate protocol prosthesis. The second patient received a tent pole iliac crest autogenous graft after 2 years of fracture treatment and immediate implants. After 5 months, a protocol prosthesis was installed in the second patient. RESULTS: In both cases, the internal fixation followed AO principles for load-bearing osteosynthesis. Both prosthetic devices were Branemark protocol prosthesis. The mandibular reconstruction plates were not removed. Both patients are rehabilitated without complications and satisfied with esthetic and functional results. CONCLUSION: With the current techniques of internal fixation, grafting, and guided implants, the treatment of atrophic mandible fractures can achieve very good results, which were previously not possible.

Uma nova técnica de fixação de fratura condilar / A new condylar fracture fixation technique

Fraturas de côndilo são comuns, e a melhor maneira de tratá-las tem sido extensivamente discutida na literatura. Há basicamente dois métodos distintos para tratar fraturas de côndilo, o método funcional e o método cirúrgico. No presente estudo, o paciente foi submetido à anestesia geral para realizar o método de redução aberta com fixação interna. Após ser realizada uma abordagem submandibular para acessar a região da fratura, uma perfuração, usando broca, foi realizada na base do segmento condilar e um parafuso longo (11 mm) foi inserido, deixando uma parte (6 mm) extra-ósseo. Um sulco foi feito na parte lateral do ramo mandibular para alocação da parte extra-óssea do parafuso. Após redução e estabilização do segmento condilar, uma miniplaca de 2.0 mm foi instalada por cima do parafuso deixando a cabeça do parafuso mais inferiormente para maximizar a retenção. O paciente teve uma recuperação pós-operatória rápida, e função a função mastigatória foi reestabelecida...

Mandibular condyle fractures are common and the best approach to treating them has been extensively discussed in the literature. There are basically two different approaches to treatment of condyle fractures: the functional method and the surgical method. In the case described here, the patient underwent general anesthesia for open reduction and internal fixation. After a submandibular approach to access the fracture site, a bur was used to make a perforation in the base of the condylar segment and a long screw (11 mm) was inserted in place leaving a portion protruding from the bone (6 mm). A groove was made in the lateral part of the mandibular ramus to accommodate the extra osseous portion of the screw. After reduction and stabilization of the condylar segment, a 2.0 mm miniplate was installed over the screw leaving the screw head in an inferior position to maximize retention. The patient enjoyed a rapid postoperative recovery and early jaw function was restored in a short period of time...

Management of fractures of the condyle, condylar neck, and coronoid process.

Proper anatomic reduction of the fracture and accelerated complete recovery are desirable goals after trauma reconstruction. Over the recent decades, significant headway in craniomaxillofacial trauma care has been achieved and advancements in the management for the injuries of the mandibular condyle have also proved to be no exception. A trend in operative and reconstructive options for proper anatomic reduction and internal fixation has become notable as a result of newly introduced technology, surgical techniques, and operative expertise.

[Determination of regimes of functional loading in the patients with traumatic mandibular fractures after osteosynthesis performance using modern methods of computer modeling].

There are presented the modern possibilities of application of the computeric modeling methods, including CAD/CAM/CAE technologies, in the planning of osteosynthesis and determination of the functional loading regimes in the patients, suffering traumatic mandibular fracture. Virtual models of the systems "bone-fixator", created on the ground of analysis of the spiral CT and functional investigations data, have had demonstrated highly precisely the anatomic peculiarities of the patients chewing system, ununiform physicomechanical properties of the fractures bone tissues and conditions of functional loading while the teeth closure. Mathematical calculations, conducted on the models, have permitted to estimate the value and character of the local pressure and deformity, occurring in the system elements, and to estimate its rigidity and safety in conditions of the chewing load. The model calculations were taken in account while choosing the patients rehabilitation regimes in posttraumatic period. Clinical investigations, conducted in immediate and late follow-up periods after the operation, have confirmed the trustworthiness of the model calculations and possibility of the method application while decision making in complex, atypical clinical settings.

The prosthetic rehabilitation of a panfacial fracture patient after reduction: a clinical report.

Panfacial fractures involve trauma to the lower, middle, and upper facial bones and often require a team approach for management. Early and complete restoration of preinjury facial contours and function should be the goal of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon and the prosthodontist. When the intraoral landmarks are lost, overall facial anatomic landmarks can be used to restore the oral cavity. A patient with complex clinical panfacial fractures, including a vertically and horizontally malpositioned native alveolar bone and severe facial asymmetry, is presented. A functional and esthetic rehabilitation was successfully accomplished by using a partial removable dental prosthesis retained with telescopic crowns and magnetic attachments in the maxilla and osseointegrated implants to support a definitive dental prosthesis in the mandible.

Functional outcomes following surgical treatment of bilateral mandibular condylar fractures.

Debate continues regarding unilateral or bilateral treatment for mandibular condylar fractures. This retrospective study evaluates the functional outcomes of bilateral condylar process fractures after surgical intervention. From May 1994 to December 2004, 51 adult patients with bilateral mandibular condylar process fractures were studied. There were 33 cases of bilateral condylar fractures (type I); 12 cases of condylar-subcondylar fractures (type II); and six cases of bilateral subcondylar fractures (type III). All patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation. Four patients had chin deviation, six had malocclusion, three had poor chewing function and eight had limited mouth opening. Type I patients had a significantly higher incidence of limited mouth opening (P=0.039) and associated maxillary fractures (n=12) and psychiatric disease (n=6) which yielded significantly poor functional outcomes. Complications included transient facial paresis (n=4), fracture and loosening of postoperative plates (n=3) and surgical wound infections (n=2). Open reduction with rigid fixation for bilateral condylar fractures provided satisfactory functional outcomes in this study. Concomitant maxillary fractures and underlying psychiatric problems are poor outcome factors. Aggressive rehabilitation in the first 9 months is important for early functional recovery.

Macroplate fixation of fractures of the edentulous atrophic mandible: immediate function and masticatory rehabilitation.

The present study aimed at evaluating the treatment outcome of fractures of the edentulous atrophic mandible by means of an extraoral approach using open reduction and internal fixation with macroplates. Eighteen patients with 21 fractures of the atrophic mandible, who had been treated between 1997 and 2006, were retrospectively analysed. Mandible height was categorised according to the Luhr classification and the patients' general health (The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification). Three types of titanium macroplates were used. Demographic data, treatment outcomes and the pre- and postoperative ability to wear mandible dentures were evaluated. The study population consisted of five men and 13 women with a median age of 78 years. The mean follow-up duration was 28 months. The most common cause of fractures was accidental falls (50%); the mandible was affected in 77.8%. Three fractures occurred in class I (bone height 15-20 mm), seven in class II (10-15 mm), and 11 in class III atrophy (<10 mm). According to the ASA classification, the collective showed a mean value of 3. An overall complication rate of 16.7% was noted, consisting of two minor and one major complication that required a second intervention. Five patients needed removal of the osteosynthesis material for prosthetic reasons. Only 50% of the patients were able to wear their dentures before surgery, and all but one were able to wear their prosthesis postoperatively. Treatment of atrophic mandible fractures with macroplates by means of an extraoral approach showed good results and a low complication rate. This procedure allows elderly patients to instantly load the mandible in the means of prosthetic and masticatory rehabilitation, preventing the necessity for second interventions.

Estudo comparativo entre a fixação interna e a fixação intermaxilar no reparo ósseo de fraturas mandibulares por meio da avaliação da média dos níveis de cinza em radiografias digitalizadas / A comparauve study between intemal fixation and intermaxillary fixation on bone repair of mandible fractures using gray's levels analysis in digital radiographics

Introdução - O tratamento das fratura mandibulares se dá por redução aberta ou fechada, sendo suas indicações bastante discutidas. O artigo objetiva avaliar, pela média dos níveis de cinza de radiografias digitalizadas, o reparo ósseo com o uso de uma ou outra forma de tratamento. Material e Métodos - Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com a forma de tratamento instituída. Três radiografias panorâmicas pós-operatórias foram obtidas de cada paciente (T I - até sete dias; T2 - 30 dias; T3 - 90 dias), digitalizadas e avaliadas quanto à média dos níveis de cinza nos traços de fratura. Resultados- O grupo tratado com fixação interna (redução aberta) exibiu médias de níveis de cinza que aumentaram significativamente ao longo do tempo. Na fixação intermaxilar (redução fechada), estas médias também aumentaram, porém sem significância estatística. Conclusão- Ambas as forma de tratamento levam à formação óssea, sendo que a velocidade deste processo é maior no tratamento com fixação interna.

lntroduction: Fractured mandibles are treated by open or closed reduction; the use of one of these methods is very discussed. This article evaluates bone repair with these methods using gray's level means in digitalized radiographics. Material and Methods: Patients were divided in two groups, according to the tvpe of mandible fractured treatment. Three post operative panoramic radiographics were obtained from each patient (Tl=until seven days; T2 - 30 days; T3 - 90 days), digitalized and had their gray 's level means measured in the fractured sites. Results: The intenal fixation group (open reduction) had crescent gray's level means (statistically significant). ln the intermaxillary fixation group (closed reduction) these means also increased, but not statistically significant. Conclusion: Bothforms of treatment are effective, but bone repair occurred earlier in tlteinternal fixation group.

Mandibular movements at maximum mouth opening and EMG activity of masticatory and neck muscles in patients rehabilitated after a mandibular condyle fracture.

OBJECTIVE: To assess rotation and translation movements of the mandible at maximum mouth opening in a group of patients successfully rehabilitated after condylar fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a three-dimensional motion analyser, free movements of mouth opening were recorded in nine patients, and divided into their rotation and gliding components. Surface electromyography (EMG) of the masticatory and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles was performed during maximum voluntary teeth clenching (MVC). Data were compared with those collected in healthy adults. RESULTS: At maximum mouth opening, the total displacement of the mandibular interincisor point was 86% of reference value (p>0.05, Student's t test), with a reduced vertical displacement (84% of reference value, p=0.012). Percentage mandibular rotation was significantly larger in patients (82%) than in reference subjects (77%, p=0.005). During MVC, patients had more asymmetric EMG potentials (p=0.018), with greater mandibular torque (p<0.001), and reduced co-contraction of SCM (p=0.003). EMG indices were used to formulate an overall performance score that was related to the characteristics of mouth opening (r=0.557). CONCLUSION: Notwithstanding a good recovery in the total mandibular movement, the rotation/translation components of mouth opening were modified. The overall EMG performance score could be used to predict the characteristics of mandibular motion.

Outcome of postsurgical sequential functional exercise of jaw fracture.

BACKGROUND: A large number of studies and clinical cases show that an ideal prognosis for mouth function cannot be obtained without sufficient and reasonable postsurgical functional exercise after jaw fracture. However, no unifying criteria exist on postsurgical functional exercise with jaw fracture. The study was designed to explore effective methods of postsurgical functional exercise of jaw fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred seventeen inpatients with jaw fracture between August 2005 and August 2006 were subjects in this study. Sequential function exercise methods were used to recover patients' gape degree, chewing, and so on. Gape degree was recorded, and healing of the jaw was assessed using x-ray. RESULTS: All 117 patients with jaw fracture who underwent surgery were involved in the analysis. After sequential function exercise, gape degree and chewing function improved; good occluding relations were retained. Gape degree was significantly improved at 8 or 12 weeks postsurgery compared with 1 or 4 weeks postsurgery (P < 0.01). However, no significant differences in gape degree were observed between 1 and 4 weeks postsurgery and between 8 and 12 weeks postsurgery (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Sequential function exercise contributes much to patient recovery of mouth function. This method is effective for postsurgical functional recovery of jaw fracture.

Maxillary post-traumatic outcome correction literature review and our experience. Part I: maxillary bone non-unions-"poor bone positioning".

Still today, there is no classification of non-unions in maxillofacial traumatology. There is a broad spectrum of definitions that simultaneously describe the pathological conditions and functional implications determined by the anatomical location of the fractures and the time factor. In this article the authors describe a literature review about bone non-union classification. Weber, in 1973, introduced the term "pseudo-arthrosis" to describe an altered process of bone healing characterised by the presence of fibrous tissue interposed between the fracture segments, that was lined with cartilaginous tissue and joined by a capsule; Spiessl, in 1988, used the term "non-union" to define any alteration of the bone healing process after a time period of more than 6 months from the initial traumatic event; Rosen, in 1990, proposed a new classification of the modes of altered bone healing in fractures, distinguishing 5 categories: delayed consolidation, non-union, non-union vascular, non union avascular, pseudoarthrosis. The authors also talk about "poor bone positioning". This factor describes the incorrect anatomical position of the bone fragments despite perfectly normal healing according to Gruss. In this article they also discuss about the treatment of non-unions and the treatment of occlusal alterations caused by poor post-traumatic bone positioning.

Masticatory motion after surgical or nonsurgical treatment for unilateral fractures of the mandibular condylar process.

PURPOSE: We sought to compare mandibular motion during mastication in patients treated in either an open or a closed fashion for unilateral fractures of the mandibular condylar process. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-one male patients with unilateral condylar process fractures were treated either with (n = 37) or without (n = 44) surgical reduction and rigid fixation of their condylar process fractures. At 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after treatment, the subjects' chewing cycles were recorded using a magnetic sensor array (Sirognathograph; Siemens Corp, Bensheim, Germany) while chewing Gummi-Bears (HARIBO, Bonn, Germany) unilaterally on the same side as the fracture and on the opposite side. The chewing cycles were analyzed using a custom computer program, and the duration, excursive ranges, and 3-dimensional cycle shape were compared between the 2 treatment groups at each time interval using multilevel linear modeling statistics. RESULTS: The 2 treatment groups did not differ significantly for any measure of cycle duration or any excursive range (except lateral excursions at 1 year post-treatment) at any of the time intervals. However, the 3-dimensional cycle shapes of the 2 groups did differ significantly at all time intervals. CONCLUSION: Surgical correction of unilateral condylar process fractures has relatively little effect on the more standard measures (duration and excursive ranges) of masticatory function. However, surgical correction better normalizes opening incisor pathways during mastication on the side opposite the fracture.

Occlusal reconstruction: orthodontic techniques for treatment of jaw fracture.

AIM: Treatment by the multidisciplinary-team approach for jaw fractures, and the role of the orthodontist, are discussed and illustrated through case reports. METHODS: Two cases of jaw fractures treated with orthodontic techniques, as an alternative noninvasive procedure, are presented. One subject with a fresh mandibular fracture did not consent to surgery, despite a good indication for open reduction. The other subject had maljoined mandibular fractures from surgery, with insufficient occlusal consideration. CONCLUSION: Orthodontists, as well as oral surgeons, participate in every stage of the treatment of jaw fractures, including treatment decisions, in-patient management, dietary guidance, etc. Orthodontists also attend surgical operations to determine the most stable occlusion, making possible more detailed occlusal reconstruction.

[Our physiotherapy treatment of articular fractures of the mandibular condyle]. / Notre prise en charge kinésithérapique des fractures condyliennes articulaires.

Physical therapy greatly contributes to improved function of the injured temporomandibular joint, particularly after trauma. In our unit, we use the Delaire rehabilitation method for patients presenting a fracture of the mandibular condyles. This method involves active mobilization, first with assistance, then with facilitation, and finally against resistance. A rehabilitation session starts with a preparation of the teguments and muscles associated with relaxation exercises. The joint is first mobilized by assisted movements if needed. When unassisted motion becomes possible, propulsion, diduction and open-close exercises are then performed with neuromuscular facilitation. When sufficient amplitudes have been achieved, the program proceeds with opposed exercises. By inducing propulsion and diduction (lateral pterygoid muscle) movements, physical therapy stimulates regeneration of the condylar unit, thus facilitating optimal functional rehabilitation. Posture and passive motion methods, which in our opinion are poorly adapted to the temporomandibular joint, are used little in our unit. Since condylar regeneration is controlled by functional factors, the lateral pterygoid muscle is an important element. Good functional outcome, and the absence of ankylosis, depends directly on the quality of active rehabilitation.

Computed tomographic findings of the fractured mandibular condyle after open reduction.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term radiological results obtained with open reduction and fixation of unilateral mandibular condyle fractures in 10 patients. CT images taken at the end of the follow-up period (average of 22 months, range 7 to 33 months), were traced and digitized, and the position and morphology of the fractured condylar process was statistically compared with those of the contralateral non-fractured condylar process in the coronal, transverse and sagittal planes. Little difference was observed in the position or morphology of the condylar process in the operated and non-fractured joints. This study shows that it is possible to anatomically reduce fractured condyles, and thereby to avoid postoperative disadvantageous joint changes.

[Laser exposure and noncoherent infrared therapy in the treatment of mandibular fractures]. / Lazernoe izluchenie i nekogerentnaia infrakrasnaia terapiia pri lechenii perelomov nizhnei cheliusti.

The efficiency of laser exposure and noncoherent infrared (IR) therapy in patients with mandibular fractures were compared. Non coherent IR exposure promoted a decrease in the number of inflammatory reactions and accelerated rehabilitation of patients.