Virtual Surgical Planning and Hardware Fabrication Prior to Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Atrophic Edentulous Mandible Fractures.

Mandibular fractures are a common injury encountered by facial trauma surgeons. A majority of these cases are in dentate patients and can predictably be treated with several different open or closed techniques. Edentulous mandible fractures can be challenging as maxillomandibular fixation, either as the sole treatment or used for fracture reduction and stabilization prior to internal fixation, is not possible. The atrophic edentulous mandible fracture poses an even greater challenge, as there is more sclerotic bone present and less bone volume for bony contact, both of which can impair healing. In addition, with less bone mass, available plate adaptation and fixation are difficult. In recent years, virtual surgical planning (VSP) has been increasingly used in craniofacial and maxillofacial surgeries as well as in dentistry. Utilizing VSP to fabricate the necessary hardware prior to open reduction and internal fixation of atrophic edentulous mandible fractures can be helpful in treating these cases. Two cases where this method was used are presented.

Circummandibular Wires for Treatment of Dentoalveolar Fractures Adjacent to Edentulous Areas: A Report of Two Cases.

In general, dentoalveolar fractures are a common injury seen in emergency departments, dental offices, and oral and maxillofacial surgery practices. These injuries can be the result of direct trauma or indirect trauma. Direct trauma more often causes trauma to the maxillary dentition due to the exposure of the maxillary anterior teeth. Indirect trauma is usually the result of forced occlusion secondary to a blow to the chin or from a whiplash injury. Falls are the most common mechanism of injury seen in the pediatric group. In adolescents, many of these fractures are sustained during sporting activities. However, the use of mouth guards and other protective equipment has decreased this number. Most adult injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents, contact sports, falls, bicycles, interpersonal violence, medical/dental mishaps, and industrial accidents. Early intervention to reduce and stabilize the fracture is required to establish a bony union and ensure correct function. Most dentoalveolar fractures have bilateral stable adjacent dentition and are treated with a closed technique utilizing an acid-etch/resin splint followed by splint removal at 4 weeks. Other inferior stabilization treatments used are arch bars and other wiring techniques. It is widely accepted that semirigid stabilization techniques, such as an acid-etch/resin splint or wiring procedures, are adequate to treat dentoalveolar fractures. This is in contrast to the treatment of mandible fractures where AO principles of rigid fixation are often followed. Fractures that are unable to be reduced sometimes necessitate an open reduction followed by internal fixation, sometimes using a secondary splint for mobile teeth. In those rare cases when there are not stable adjacent teeth bilaterally other modalities must be considered. In the present report, two cases are presented where circummandibular wires were used to treat fractured mandibular dentoalveolar segments adjacent to edentulous areas.

Partial avulsion of the right ear treated with a pocket technique: a case report and review of the literature.

Avulsive injuries to the ear are not common and are variable in presentation. This article describes a case of subtotal auricular avulsion treated utilizing a pocket. Other techniques used for these types of injuries are reviewed.