Facial fractures caused by less-lethal rubber bullet weapons: case series report and literature review.

PURPOSE: The present study aims to describe three cases of patients inflicted by rubber bullets with severe facial fractures. METHODS: In addition, a review of English-language literature involving facial fractures by rubber bullets from 1975 to 2016 was performed. RESULTS: This current study demonstrated that the use of the LLRBW is unsafety even when applied by police enforcements exclusively. CONCLUSIONS: Management of facial fractures caused by LLRBW is done in a usual manner with closed or open reduction associated with bone mini-plates or reconstruction plates when indicated. Special initial wound care should be done to avoid secondary infection and additional procedures.

Complications from submental endotracheal intubation: a prospective study and literature review.

Submental endotracheal intubation, as compared to the use of tracheotomy, is an alternative for the surgical management of maxillofacial trauma, as described by Altemir FH (The submental route for endotracheal intubation: a new technique. J Maxillofac Surg 1986; 14: 64). Although the submental endotracheal intubation is a useful technique, a wide range of complications have been reported in the literature. The core aim of this article is to present additional data from 17 patients who have undergone submental endotracheal intubation and who have received at least 6 months of postoperative follow up. A prospective study was carried out on patients who suffered maxillofacial trauma between 2008 and 2011. Age, gender, etiology of trauma, fracture type, complications, and follow up were evaluated. Case series, as well as retrospective and prospective studies regarding submental endotracheal intubation in maxillofacial trauma, were also reviewed. This study demonstrated a low rate of complications in submental endotracheal intubation and no increase in operative time within the evaluated sample. The submental endotracheal intubation may be considered a simple, secure, and effective technique for operative airway control in major maxillofacial traumas.

Superolateral dislocation of the intact mandibular condyle associated with panfacial fracture: a case report and literature review.

Superolateral dislocation of the intact mandibular condyle (SDIMC) is rare. This case report focuses on a 15-year-old teenager who was involved in a motor vehicle accident as well a literature review regarding the SDIMC. Clinical examination demonstrated a diffuse edema in the midfacial area and a left lateral deflection of the mandible, including an open bite and a crepitation in the symphyseal region. Three-dimensional computed tomography scans were taken, which presented a superolateral dislocation of the left mandibular condyle as well as panfacial fracture. The patient was set in intermaxillary fixation for 2 weeks and underwent subsequent active jaw physiotherapy, the evaluation of which presented satisfactory results. This case study also presents a literature review, which demonstrated 21 well-documented cases of SDIMC. The patients' mean age was of 29 years. The male gender proved to be more prevalent, with road traffic collisions representing the most common form of accident. Type II, with unilateral dislocation, proved to be the most common. The mean reduction time was 7 days. The open methods were the most commonly used reduction methods. Mandible fracture was associated with dislocation in 82% of the cases, with other facial fractures appearing in only 23% of the cases. Patient follow up presented satisfactory results in 59% of the cases.

Traumatic displacement of maxillary permanent incisor into the nasal cavity.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper was to describe a case of unviable alveolar repositioning of an intruded tooth into the nasal cavity and to bring the subject of intrusive tooth injury among patients with dentoalveolar fractures to the attention of trauma surgeons. PATIENT: A 26-year-old male was involved in a car accident and crashed his mouth against the dashboard due to sudden deceleration. Intraoral examination revealed an anterior maxillary dentoalveolar fracture and absence of the central maxillary incisors, right lateral maxillary incisor, and left maxillary canine. Computed tomography showed a dislocated tooth in the nasal cavity. The "missing" left maxillary canine was easily recovered from the floor of the left nostril. CONCLUSIONS: Because complete dislocation of a tooth can cause a frontal sinus abscess, an airway complication, a respiratory tract obstruction, and a complicated lung abscess or sinusitis, anytime a tooth is not accounted for after a dentoalveolar trauma, the possibility that it has been fully intruded should be considered. Computed tomographic scan should be a routine diagnostic study in all cases with associated missing anatomical structures in the oral and maxillofacial region. The need to involve the dental professional in the initial assessment of dental trauma in emergency rooms in hospitals is important in order to identify how many teeth might be missing after dental trauma and to correctly reposition the avulsed teeth when possible.