Maxillofacial Trauma 3: Mandibular Traumatic Injuries

Maxillofacial Trauma

• The primary aim of the lecture on Maxillofacial Trauma is to understand the etiology, classification, and management of maxillofacial fractures.

Etiology of Mandibular Fractures

• The common etiologies of mandibular fractures do not include osteoporosis.
• Atrophic mandibular fractures are primarily caused by osteoporosis.

Classification of Maxillofacial Fractures

• Maxillofacial fractures are classified based on their relation to overlying tissue into open or closed fractures.
• The primary aim of classifying maxillofacial fractures is to determine the severity of the injury and guide treatment.

Types of Mandibular Fractures

• Impacted teeth are related to subcondylar fractures.
• Comminuted refers to a fracture that results in multiple pieces of bone.
• A coronoid fracture involves a fracture at the base of the coronoid process.
• A complex fracture results in soft tissue loss.

Types of Forces

• Glancing force is considered favorable in the direction of force for maxillofacial fractures.

Diagnosis and Management

• The primary aim of diagnosing mandibular fractures is to identify the severity of the injury and guide treatment.
• CT scans are recommended when a patient cannot assume a position for plain radiography due to severe displacement and limited range of motion.
• The length of fixation recommended for adults after closed reduction of mandibular fractures is 4-6 weeks.
• The technique of fixation involving IMF screws is used for mandibular fractures.
• The absolute indications for open reduction of condylar fracture include displacement of the condylar head, impingement on the glenoid fossa, and limitation of jaw movement.

Complications and Fixation

• Potential complications of mandibular fractures if not treated properly include malunion, nonunion, and osteomyelitis.
• The mode of fixation recommended for managing unfavorable or unstable mandibular fractures is rigid internal fixation.