Clinical outcomes of surgical management of anterior bilateral mandibular fractures

Flail Mandible and Immediate Airway Management: Traumatic Detachment of Mandibular Lingual Cortex Results in Obstructive Dyspnea and Severe Odynophagia

Isolated mandibular fractures usually represent themselves as non-life-threatening injuries and are not treated in emergency setting. However, some rare patterns of them may result in airway obstruction as a result of displacement of bony fragments. The authors report a patient of an open comminuted fracture of mandibular symphysis which exhibited an uncommon split pattern with retrogression of lingual cortical plate, and thereby induced glossoptosis, painful deglutition, and obstruction of the upper airway within a few hours. The patient underwent immediate intubation for establishing a definitive airway, followed by open reduction and internal fixation of fracture. Surgical airway management was not needed. Anatomic reduction of the fracture was achieved, by reestablishing the patency of upper airway and resolving the painful deglutition. Patient's occlusion and mouth opening returned to the preinjury status. Timely osteosynthesis surgery offered early relief of patient's signs and symptoms, prevented airway complications and development of traumatic mandibular osteomyelitis, as well as obviated the potential need for surgical airway management. The appropriate management of mandibular fractures placing the airway at risk requires immediate diagnosis based on knowledge of specific clinical and radiographic findings. This case emphasizes that emergency clinicians should be able to distinguish those patients who will need airway securing techniques in emergent or prophylactic context, due to an uncommon fracture pattern of facial skeleton. Moreover, emergency clinicians should be conversant with wiring techniques to achieve stabilization of the mandibular framework and to control the pain, hemorrhage, and airway patency.

Cervical injury related to mandibular fractures. A retrospective study of 315 cases

Objective To define the association between mandibular fractures and alterations of the cranio-atlo-axial joint (CAAJ). Methods 315 cases of displaced mandibular fractures were retrospectively evaluated by CT scan and cervical X-ray for associated alterations of the CAAJ. Statistical analysis employed the chi-square and Cohen's kappa coefficient. Results Single fractures amounted to 69.84% and multiple fractures to 30.16% of total fractures. CT scans showed a rotation of the atlas on the same side of single fractures and subluxation of the CAAJ. Vertical derangement of the joint was observed in 79.65% of single fractures and in 20.35% of multiple fractures. Approximately16.19% of all displaced mandibular fractures showed cervical disorders at long-term follow-up. Discussion The outcomes of this study revealed an association between traumatic mandibular fractures and CAAJ, accompanied by clinical disorders. These conditions require clinical attention due to their effects on long-term craniocervical functionality and future forensic issues.

Mandibular trauma: a two-centre study

The aims of this study were to assess and compare epidemiological data on mandibular fractures from two European centres and to perform a review of the literature. Between 2001 and 2010, a total of 752 patients with a total of 1167 mandibular fractures were admitted to a hospital in Turin, and 245 patients with a total of 434 mandibular fractures were admitted to a hospital in Amsterdam. The mean age in Turin was 34.8 years and in Amsterdam was 32 years. The age group 20-29 years showed the highest incidence of mandibular fractures in both centres. The fractures were mainly the result of assaults, in agreement with several articles in the recent literature, followed by falls. The continuous long-term and multicentre collection of data on the epidemiology of maxillofacial trauma is important because it provides the information necessary for the development of preventative measures aimed at reducing the incidence of facial injuries.

Mandibular trauma treatment: a comparison of two protocols

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment of mandibular fractures treated in two European centre in 10 years. Study Design: This study is based on 2 systematic computer-assisted databases that have continuously recorded patients hospitalized with maxillofacial fractures in two centers in Turin, Italy and in Amsterdam, the Netherlands for ten years. Only patients who were admitted for mandibular fractures were considered for this study. Results: Between 2001 and 2010, a total of 752 patients were admitted at Turin hospital with a total of 1167 mandibular fractures not associated with further maxillofacial fractures, whereas 245 patients were admitted at Amsterdam hospital with a total of 434 mandibular fractures. At Amsterdam center, a total of 457 plates (1.5 - 2.7 mm) were used for the 434 mandibular fracture lines, whereas at Turin center 1232 plates (1.5 – 2.5 mm) were used for the management of the 1167 mandibular fracture lines. At Turin center, 190 patients were treated primarily with IMF, whereas 35 patients were treated with such treatment option at Amsterdam center. Conclusions: Current protocols for the management of mandibular fractures are quite efficient. It is difficult to obtain a uniform protocol, because of the difference of course of each occurring fracture and because of surgeons’ experiences and preferences. Several techniques can still be used for each peculiar fracture of the mandible.

Key words:Mandibular fracture, facial trauma, maxillofacial, treatment, multicentre, database.

Fractures of the mandibular coronoid process: a two centres study

The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of patients with coronoid fractures treated in two European centres over 10 years and to briefly review the literature. This study is based on 2 systematic computer-assisted databases that have continuously recorded patients hospitalized with maxillofacial fractures and surgically treated in two European centres between 2001 and 2010. During the 10 years, 1818 patients and 523 patients with maxillofacial fractures were admitted to the two centres respectively: 21 patients (16 males, 5 females) were admitted with 21 coronoid fractures and 28 associated maxillofacial fractures. A mean age of 42.1 years was observed. The fractures were mainly the result of motor vehicle accidents, followed by assaults and falls. The most frequently observed associated maxillofacial fracture was a zygomatic fracture (13 fractures). In both centres, mandibular coronoid fractures are treated unless a severe dislocation of the fractured coronoid is observed or a functional mandibular impairment is encountered. Conservative treatment can be used, together with the open reduction and internal fixation of associated fractures. The crucial point is to prevent ankylosis, which may be prevented by correct and early postoperative physiotherapy and mandibular function.