Management of comminuted but continuous mandible defects after gunshot injuries

Evidence-Based Medicine for Ballistic Maxillofacial Trauma

Ballistic trauma is a serious health issue with significant costs to physical, psychosocial, economic, and societal well-being. It may be caused from firearms, explosive devices, or any other projectile forces, and is characterized by severe tissue loss and evolving tissue devitalization. This review covers mechanism, diagnosis, and management of ballistic maxillofacial trauma, specifically. Initial evaluation includes stabilization of airway, bleeding, and circulation, followed by assessment of other injuries. The overall degree of tissue damage is determined by intrinsic patient factors and extrinsic projectile factors. Management of ballistic injuries has shifted toward advocation for early operative repair with the advent of antibiotics and advanced techniques in maxillofacial reconstruction. Appropriate timing and method of reconstruction should be carefully selected on a case-by-case basis. While ballistic trauma research is limited to studies biased by institutional practices, areas for further study identified from current literature include guidelines directing timing of reconstructive surgery; thresholds for free tissue transfer; handling of retained projectiles; incidence of surgical complications; and clinical outcomes for computer-aided surgical repair of these highly destructive injuries.

Computer-assisted intraoral approach in the management of infected comminuted mandibular fractures: Technical notes

In the extraoral approach for mandibular fractures, facial scars and facial nerve injury are common complications. Herein, we introduce an improved surgical technique to reduce fragments of infected comminuted mandibular fractures with the assistance of computer software. Firstly, the model was reset by 3-dimensional (3D) printing, and then the titanium plate was reconstructed on the model. Finally, open reduction and internal fixation through intraoral approach. This method can effectively control infection, reduce facial scars and avoid the risk of facial nerve injury.

OCCS Classification and Treatment Algorithm for Comminuted Mandibular Fractures Based on 109 Patients and 11 Years Experiences: A Retrospective Study

Comminuted mandibular fractures (CMFs) pose significant challenges to surgeons for their serious complications and poor outcomes. We aimed at proposing a classification with treatment algorithm of each category for CMFs. Patients with CMFs were retrospectively reviewed and classified into five categories: Type I: relatively good occlusion, no or slightly displaced fragments, no continuity destruction or bone defect; Type II: relatively good occlusion, damaged morphology, low comminution degree but intact continuity without bone defect; Type III: damaged morphology and higher comminution degree with intact continuity and relatively good occlusion; Type IV: high comminution, impaired continuity and poor occlusion without segmental bone defect; Type V: segmental bone defect. Conservative treatment, open reduction and internal fixation or microvascular osteocutaneous free flap transplantation was performed, accordingly. Demographics, perioperative data, complications and reasons for reoperations were recorded. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. In total, 109 patients were included in the study. After surgery, in the following group, 5 manifested infections, 1 manifested bone non-union, and 2 experienced reoperations, while in the unfollowing group, 10 manifested infections, 5 manifested bone non-union and 8 experienced reoperations. The OCCS classification and algorithm for CMFs achieve better outcomes and with lower complication rate.

Treatment of Gunshot-Related Mandibular Fracture with Splint-Guided Reduction: Case Report

Background/Aim: Gunshot injury-related mandibular fractures often have a complex pattern, characterized by comminution, bone loss, and soft-tissue avulsion. The management is difficult and varies between individual cases.

Case Report: A 41-year-old male patient presented with marked swelling and ecchymosis in the left mandibular region. Intraorally, he had a deviated open bite on the left side. A unilateral comminuted mandibular fracture was diagnosed by panoramic radiograph and computed tomography. An acrylic dental splint-guided open reduction and internal fixation, including intermaxillary fixation through brackets and intermaxillary elastics, was planned. No complications were observed throughout the healing period, and healing at the fracture site was satisfactory. The occlusion returned to the preinjury position and was stable.

Conclusions: This case report shows that successful functional and esthetic results can be achieved with a strict patient-specific treatment protocol for a comminuted mandibular fracture due to gunshot injury.

Reconstruction of a Gunshot-Caused Mouth Floor Defect Using a Nasolabial Flap and a De-Epithelialized V-Y Advancement Flap

ABSTRACT

We present reconstruction of a gunshot-caused mouth floor defect using a nasolabial flap and a de-epithelialized V-Y advancement flap.A 58-year-old man presented 14 days after bullet injury passed from anterior chin to the right postauricular area. Upon examination, the central incisors, alveolar bones, and soft tissues of the mouth floor were lost. Bone fragments and failed miniplates were exposed. Pus discharge filled the defect.On the 23rd post-trauma day, right unilateral nasolabial flap was used to cover the oral side of the mouth floor. This flap was centered on the nasolabial fold and its base was situated on the commissure of the lips. The flap was raised in the soft tissue, just superficial to the facial muscles, transferred into the oral cavity through an incision made in the cheek mucosa, and sutured to the margin of the defect. A de-epithelialized dermal and subcutaneous flap was used to reconstruct the deep portion of the mouth floor through the V-Y advancement method. At the lower border of the mandible, a 3-cm-wide V-Y advancement flap was designed. The de-epithelized portion was inserted into the mouth floor and sutured to the defect margin. On 30th post-trauma day, left commissure-based buccal mucosal flap was used for the gingivobuccal sulcus defect. The apex was near the retromolar trigone. The elevated flap was transferred to the lower gingivobuccal sulcus defect. On POD 28, the nasolabial flap and commissure-based buccal myomucosal flap was divided and inset respectively.These flaps can be used for moderate-sized mouth floor defects.

Mandibular traumas by gunshot. A systematic review with meta-analysis and algorithm of treatment

The treatment of mandibular fractures by gunshot ranges from late conservative repair to more aggressive early repair in a single stage. Treatments that preserve bony architecture as much as possible should be used, minimising patient morbidity and the complexity of future surgeries. The purpose of this study was to use a systematic review to determine which method of treatment was most effective for mandibular fractures by gunshot. Searches were conducted on Medline via PubMed, Scopus, Central Cochrane, and Sigle via Open Grey up to August 2019. Four studies were eligible to this systematic review, considering the previously establish inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 211 patients were evaluated. The mandibular body was the region more fractured followed by the symphyseal/parasymphyseal region. The closed treatment with intermaxillary fixation (IMF) was the most used followed by open surgery with internal rigid fixation (IRF) and external fixator. Considering the total adverse effects, the meta-analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the IMF and IRF groups (p=0.840), but IMF showed five times less infection and IRF six times less malunion. The algorithm was delineated from the types of injuries by gunshot, proposing forms of treatment from initial stabilisation to functional rehabilitation with implant-supported prostheses. The treatment of mandibular fractures by gunshot remains a challenge for surgeons. There was a statistically significant prevalence of success in the IRF group, however this group was also associated with a higher index of infection than the IMF group. New studies with high methodological quality and larger numbers of participants are needed to offer more safety for surgeons who treat patients with mandibular fractures by gunshot.

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation Strategy For Treatment of Comminuted Mandibular Fracture

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment strategy of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for comminuted mandibular fracture (CMF).

METHODS

Clinical studies about CMF were collected. Detailed information was extracted, and data were analyzed and merged from included articles.

RESULTS

Twelve studies, including 338 patients with CMF, were reported. A total of 256 patients receive ORIF among these 338 patients, and exhibited followed characteristics: ORIF usually were performed several days after injury; the extraoral approach for ORIF was used for 103 patients among 205 patients who received ORIF with definite information about surgical approach; titanium mesh, or reconstruction plate, combined with mini-plates was used in 17 and 194 patients, respectively; intermaxillary fixation (IMF) usually persisted about 1 to 3 weeks after ORIF; most patients exhibited satisfactory effect without serious complications, and the complication rate varied from 0 to 42%.

CONCLUSIONS

ORIF strategy for treatment of CMF including: ORIF was a priority choice for CMF. ORIF usually was performed at several days after injury. Reconstruction plate, or titanium mesh, combined with mini-plates was recommended for ORIF surgery. After ORIF, IMF usually was recommended for about 1 to 3 weeks.

Patient Race and Insurance Status Do Not Impact the Treatment of Simple Mandibular Fractures

INTRODUCTION

Health-care disparities have been reported throughout medical literature for decades. While blatant explicit bias is not prevalent, a substantial body of research has been published suggesting that systemic biases related to sex, race, income, and insurance status likely exist. To our knowledge, no study has assessed the impact of patient race and insurance status on clinical decision-making in facial fracture repair in the United States. Thus, the objective of this project was to assess if race and insurance status impacted whether patients obtained open or closed treatment of simple mandibular fractures.

METHODS

Patients who had either open or closed treatment of mandibular fractures were extracted from the 2012 and 2013 National Inpatient Sample and analyzed. Patients who had a length of stay longer than 3 days or died during their inpatient stay were excluded. These exclusion criteria were used to control for patients with polytrauma as well as complicated fractures. Univariate analysis was undertaken to elucidate different variable associations with the type of reduction performed. All covariates were then entered into a multivariable logistic regression model to test the variables simultaneously.

RESULTS

Patients with simple condylar, alveolar border, and closed mandibular fractures were more likely to undergo closed reduction (CR) on univariate analysis, as were patients with female gender and a fall mechanism (P value < .05). African Americans, Hispanics, and patients without insurance were more likely to undergo open reduction on univariate analysis (P value < .05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that patients with simple condylar, subcondylar, alveolar border, or closed mandibular fractures were more likely to undergo a CR, as were patients with female gender and a firearm or fall mechanism (P < .05). However, neither race nor insurance status demonstrated a statistically significant association with closed or open reduction.

CONCLUSION

Anatomic location and mechanism of injury were the variables found to be significantly associated with patients undergoing open reduction versus CR of simple mandibular fractures-not race or insurance status.

Prosthetic rehabilitation of maxillary and mandibular gunshot defects with fixed basal implant-supported prostheses: A 5-year follow-up case report

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Oral maxillofacial gunshot wounds have serious aesthetic and functional consequences.

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Rehabilitating mandibular gunshot defects is complicated and requires a long time.

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A multispecialty team is necessary to perform challenging rehabilitation procedures.

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Fixed basal implant-supported prosthesis placement does not require bone grafting.

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This procedure produces excellent aesthetic/functional outcomes and implant stability.

Introduction

Gunshot injuries to the oral maxillofacial region have serious aesthetic and functional consequences.

Presentation of case

A 32-year-old male patient presented with a marginal mandibular resection owing to a gunshot wound. A clinical examination revealed destroyed crowns in teeth 12, 11, and 21; extraction in teeth 13, 22, 24, 31, 32-45; a fracture in tooth 38; and severe pain. Further, he had multiple submental scars and a completely obliterated sulcus. Consequently, a multidisciplinary team was formed who devised the following treatment plan: stage 1, root canal treatment for the maxillary anterior teeth, followed by crown construction and transitional mandibular removable partial denture construction, and stage 2, placement of immediately loaded basal implant definitive prostheses supported by 6 corticobasal screw implants. After 5 years of use, the patient presented with excellent peri-implant soft tissue health, prosthesis stability, and great improvements in aesthetics and function. The patient was highly satisfied with the treatment and restoration of his quality of life.

Discussion

Accurate treatment planning is vital for managing complicated cases, including gunshot defect cases, and should involve the selection of the most suitable reconstructive technique with lower susceptible complication rates and high success rates. The described treatment eliminates the need for bone grafting, reduces treatment duration, and involves fixed prosthesis placement.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first report on basal implant-based full-mouth rehabilitation in a gunshot mandibular defect patient. The fixed hybrid basal implant-supported prosthesis produced highly acceptable aesthetic and phonetic results and greatly improved the patient’s life.

Efficacy of open reduction and internal fixation in achieving bony union of comminuted mandibular fractures caused by civilian gunshot injuries

INTRODUCTION

Comminuted fractures of the mandible caused by gunshot injuries were traditionally treated with closed reduction using maxillo-mandibular fixation (MMF).^2,3 Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) has become a valuable treatment modality in the management of comminuted mandibular fractures due to low rate of complications and predictable healing ^{4, 5}.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of ORIF compared with MMF in achieving bony union of comminuted mandibular fractures in gunshot injury patients.

METHOD

ology: Randomized controlled trial conducted at the department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for a period of 3 years; total of 40 patients divided equally into two groups. Group A were treated with ORIF and group B were treated with MMF. Callus formation radiographically was confirmed by 8th week post operatively. Data was collected using proforma, entered on a statistical software SPSS version 20. Frequency percentages were computed for age and gender. Chi square and Fisher's exact tests were applied. P value ≤ 0.05 considered significant.

RESULT

A total of 40 patients of gunshot injuries were included in this study. 37 (92.5%) were males and 3 (7.5%) were Females with mean age of 36.35 ± 12.9 years SD. 19 (47.5%) patients showed callus formation, whereas, 21 (52.5%) did not. Out of 19 patients, 14 (70%) belonged to group A, and 5 (25%) from group B. The final healing considered by 8th week was in 16 (80%) of ORIF group A, and 8 (40%) group B (MMF) after calculating the clinical and radiographic evidences.

CONCLUSION

Comparative clinical trials have proven that ORIF is superior to MMF in the management of comminuted mandibular fractures. Early primary repair and internal fixation provides predictable and cost effective results.

Twenty-four years of experience in management of complex mandibular fractures with low cost, custom-made mandibular external fixation: A 65-patient series

INTRODUCTION

Ginestet introduced the first external device used to fix the mandible in 1936. In 1949, Morris introduced a biphasic fixation device. This "Joe Hall Morris fixation" design led to use of a self-crafted external fixator based on pins connected by a breathing tube filled with dental resin. The objective of this study was to present our surgical results with this device through a 65-patient series.

METHODS

This retrospective study included all the patients who benefited from the self-crafted mandibular external fixator at our Oral and Maxillofacial department from 1995 to 2019. Sixty-five patients were allocated into two groups. There were 39 patients in the temporary stabilisation (TS) group and 26 in the bone healing (BH) group. Functional criteria were investigated, including mouth opening limitations and occlusal abnormalities. Aesthetic evaluation focused on skin healing, evaluated by both surgeon and patient.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients exhibited spontaneous bone healing during their immobilisation period and two patients developed a pseudoarthrosis in the BH group. Most TS group patients benefited from secondary management by bone graft, bone free flap, or distraction osteogenesis. Few complications were noted with our technique during the study period.

CONCLUSION

Our self-crafted external fixation with Joe Hall Morris fixation style is a valuable option for external stabilisation of the lower third of the face.

An Algorithmic Approach to the Management of Ballistic Facial Trauma in the Civilian Population

Annual incidence of non-fatal ballistic civilian has been increasing for the last decade. The aim of the present study was to clarify the optimal reconstructive management of civilian ballistic facial injuries. A systematic review of PubMed was performed. Articles were evaluated for defect type and site, reconstructive modality, complications, and outcomes. A total of 30 articles were included. Most common region of injury was mandibular with a 46.6% incidence rate. All-cause complication rate after reconstruction was 31.0%. About 13.3% of patients developed a postoperative infection. Gunshot wounds had overall lower complication rates as compared with shotgun wounds at 9.0% and 17.0%. By region, complications for gunshot wounds were 35% and 34% for mandible and maxilla, respectively. Immediate surgical intervention with conservative serial debridement is recommended. However, for patients with pre-existing psychiatric disorders, secondary revisions should be delayed until proper psychiatric stabilization. When there is extensive loss of soft tissue in the midface, aesthetic outcomes are achieved with a latissimus dorsi or anterolateral thigh free flap. Radial forearm flap is favored for thin lining defects. Open reduction is suggested for bony-tissue stabilization. The fibula flap is recommended for bony defects >5 cm in both midface and mandible. For bony defects, <5 cm bone grafting was preferred. Delaying bone grafting does not worsen patient outcomes. Surgical treatment of ballistic facial trauma requires thorough preparation and precise planning. An algorithm that summarizes the approach to the main decision points of surgical management and reconstruction after ballistic facial trauma has been presented in this study.

Reporting of Postoperative Pain Management Protocols in Randomized Clinical Trials of Mandibular Fracture Repair: A Systematic Review

IMPORTANCE

The control of pain associated with mandibular fractures is an important treatment outcome that affects function, adherence to treatment regimens, and patient comfort and satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the pain management protocols reported in studies of mandibular fractures, including the reporting of quality-of-life measures.

EVIDENCE REVIEW

PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and clinicaltrials.gov were searched for randomized clinical trials published from 1970 to July 2014. We followed PRISMA reporting standards to assess study eligibility and extract data. Studies of patients older than 16 years who underwent operative mandibular fracture management were included. The primary data collected included the type of analgesic prescribed, associated adverse effects of the analgesic, method of pain assessment, and use of quality-of-life measures. A pain attentiveness score was assigned to studies based on the comprehensiveness of the information reported. Several variables were reviewed to determine the factors that predict reporting of pain-related data. Assessments of risk for bias were performed using the Cochrane Collaboration's domain-based evaluation method.

FINDINGS

The initial search identified 111 articles, of which 38 met inclusion criteria. Among the 38 reviewed articles, there were 38 trials and 1808 unique patients represented. Among the 38 articles, the procedures reported included maxillomandibular fixation only in 6 (16%), open reduction with internal fixation only in 20 (53%), and both in 12 (32%). Specific analgesics prescribed were reported in only 5 of the 38 studies (13%), and 3 of these used a combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen (paracetamol). Thirteen studies (34%) reported pain assessments and 5 (13%) included quality-of-life measures. Geographic region was the only variable that predicted pain attentiveness, with studies from Europe (3 of 11 studies [27%]) and Asia (6 of 16 studies [38%]) most likely to have a high pain attentiveness score. A low rating was least common in the United States (2 of 5 studies [40%]) (P = .047, Fisher exact test). Most of the studies had unclear (n = 27) or high (n = 6) risks for bias in the key domains assessed.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Pain management is a neglected outcome in randomized clinical trials of mandibular trauma; most studies did not describe the specific analgesics used. Many randomized clinical trials (13 [34%]) assessed pain levels among patients without providing information about the agents prescribed. The incorporation of validated pain measures and quality-of-life scores in future studies of mandibular trauma would focus attention on this key outcome measure.

Late treatment of a mandibular gunshot wound

Mandibular gunshot injuries are esthetically and functionally devastating, causing comminuted fractures and adjacent tissue destruction depending on the weapon gauge, projectile shape, impact kinetic energy, and density of the injured structures. If the mandibular fracture is not adequate or promptly treated, the broken fragments will fail to heal. In case of a treatment delay, progressive bone loss and fracture contracture will require a customized approach, which includes open reduction, removal of fibrous tissue between the bony stumps, and fixation of the fracture with a reconstruction plate and autogenous graft. The authors report the case of a 34-year-old man wounded on the mandible 15 years ago. With the aid of computed tomography and a prototype, a surgical plan was designed including open reduction and internal fixation of the segmental mandibular defect with a reconstruction plate and bone graft harvested from the iliac crest. The postoperative follow-up was uneventful and the 12-month follow up showed a positive aesthetic and functional result.