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CASE REPORT |
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| Year : 2015 | Volume
: 33
| Issue : 2 | Page : 161-165 |
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Clinical efficacy of open reduction and semirigid internal fixation in management of displaced pediatric mandibular fractures: A series of 10 cases and surgical guidelines
Samir Joshi, Rajesh Kshirsagar, Akshay Mishra, Rahul Shah
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Dental College and Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| Date of Web Publication | 15-Apr-2015 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Samir Joshi
9b, Vaijayanti Apartment, Kadam Plaza, Katraj, Pune - 411 046, Maharashtra
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0970-4388.155135
 Abstract | | |
Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of open reduction and semirigid internal fixation in the management of displaced pediatric mandibular fractures. Method: Ten patients with displaced mandibular fractures treated with 1.5 mm four holed titanium mini-plate and 4 mm screws which were removed within four month after surgery. Results: All cases showed satisfactory bone healing without any growth disturbance. Conclusion: Open reduction and rigid internal fixation (ORIF) with 1.5 mm titanium mini- plates and 4 mm screws is a reliable and safe method in treatment of displaced paediatric mandibular fractures.
Keywords: Displaced paediatric fractures, ORIF, titanium mini-plate
How to cite this article:
Joshi S, Kshirsagar R, Mishra A, Shah R. Clinical efficacy of open reduction and semirigid internal fixation in management of displaced pediatric mandibular fractures: A series of 10 cases and surgical guidelines. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent 2015;33:161-5 |
How to cite this URL:
Joshi S, Kshirsagar R, Mishra A, Shah R. Clinical efficacy of open reduction and semirigid internal fixation in management of displaced pediatric mandibular fractures: A series of 10 cases and surgical guidelines. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent [serial online] 2015 [cited 2022 Aug 15];33:161-5. Available from: http://www.jisppd.com/text.asp?2015/33/2/161/155135 |
| Introduction | |  |
Fractures of the pediatric mandible present unique surgical and medicinal challenges, and therefore require multidisciplinary approach for their management. In addition, inadequately or incorrectly-treated fractures in growing children may lead to serious complications including asymmetric mandibular growth and temporo mandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis.
The most common cause of trauma in children is motor vehicle-related accidents followed by falls, sports injuries, and interpersonal violence. [1] Mandibular fractures in growing individuals are uncommon (<10% of all mandibular fractures). [2] Among the reported mandibular fractures, condylar fractures are the most common, followed by the fractures of symphyseal region, body, and the angle of the mandible. [3]
It has been estimated that 11.3% of all pediatric emergency department visits are the result of pediatric maxillofacial injury. Mandibular fractures compose most of the injuries (55%) followed by orbital fractures (30%), dentoalveolar fractures (23%), midface fractures (17%), nasal fractures (15%), and cranial fractures (6%). [1]
Controversies exist regarding the management of pediatric mandibular fractures and treatment modalities vary depending upon the competence, familiarity, concerns, and beliefs of the operator. Treatment options include observation with or without physiotherapy, conservative management using functional appliances, closed reduction techniques as well as open reduction, and internal fixation.
Cases managed by observation and physiotherapy with or without the use of functional appliances, closed reduction, and/or maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) should be selected carefully. Achieving MMF is difficult in children during mixed dentition phase because of the small size and shape of the deciduous teeth which may hinder effective circumdental wiring. Noncompliance with the therapy and effects of MMF on the nutritional needs of child are also important considerations.
Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) eliminates the need for MMF, which directly improves the control over airway, maintenance of oral hygiene, and better nutritional support. We present a series of 10 cases of displaced pediatric mandibular fractures managed with ORIF using metallic implants without MMF.
| Materials and Methods | | |
Ten patients aged between 4 and 12 years (mean age 7.6 years) reported to Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery from 1 st January 2010 to 30 th September 2012 with displaced mandibular fractures were included in the present series. All patients were treated by ORIF using titanium four-holeminiplates (1.5 mm; SK Surgicals, Pune, India) and screws (4 mm length and 1.5 mm diameter; SK Surgicals, Pune, India).
Preoperative evaluation included a thorough clinical evaluation, laboratory investigations, suitable radiographic imaging (posteroanterior (PA) mandible/orthopantamograph/facial computed tomography (CT)) for evaluation of head injury and facial fractures. Following assessment and fitness approval from pediatrician and anesthesiologist, surgery was undertaken under general anesthesia with nasal intubation. Intraoperative MMF was performed using direct interdental wiring. All fracture sites were approached using intraoral incisions except when an extraoral wound was present. All fracture sites were reduced manually and fixed with 1.5 mm titanium plates and screws. Closure was done using 3-0 Vicryl for intraoral/mucosal closure. Extraoral closure was done using 3-0 Vicryl for deeper layers and 5-0 Ethilon for skin closure. All sutures were removed on 5 th day. The titanium plates and screws were removed within 4 months after surgery. Bone healing was assessed using clinical parameters like bone fragment mobility and occlusion. Stability of fixation was assessed postoperatively with extraoral radiographs (PA mandible and orthopantomogram).
Case 1
A 5-year-old boy was admitted with a history of road traffic accident [Figure 1]. There was intraoral bleeding with noted mobility of fragment in left parasymphysis region between lower left lateral incisor and canine (72-73). CT showed left parasymphysis and right mandibular body displaced fracture [Figure 2].
The patient was operated under general anesthesia using nasal intubation. Left parasymphyseal fracture was explored through an existing extraoral contused lacerated wound (CLW), which was cleaned. A right mandibular intraoral vestibular incision was taken to expose the fracture site. The fractured segments were adequately exposed and reduced. A single four-hole 1.5 mm titanium miniplate with gap and compatible titanium screws (1.5 mm × 4 mm) were used for fixation of fractures at each site [Figure 3]. Suturing was done in layers using 3-0 resorbable suture (Vicryl) and 5-0 Ethilon for skin. Antibiotics and analgesics were prescribed as per pediatricians' consultation. The recovery was uneventful [Figure 4]. Clinical bony union was evident in 3 weeks. A secondary surgery for implant removal was performed 3 months later.
Case 2
An 11-year-old boy reported with a history of a dashboard injury [Figure 5]. No history of loss of consciousness, vomiting, seizures, and bleeding was obtained. CT revealed displaced bilateral body fractures of the mandible [Figure 6].
The patient was operated under general anesthesia using right nasal intubation. Right and left mandibular vestibular incisions were made. Care was taken to prevent injury to the mental nerve. The fracture sites were explored, reduced, and fixed using a single titanium miniplate (1.5 mm, four holes with gap) and four compatible titanium screws (1.5 mm × 4 mm) per site [Figure 7]. Suturing was done with 3-0 resorbable sutures (Vicryl). The patient was reoperated for titanium hardware removal 3 months later [Figure 8]. All the other cases in the series were treated using the same protocol [Table 1].
| Results | | |
Ten patients with mean age of 7.6 years, five male and five female with pediatric mandible fractures were treated with ORIF. A total of 15 fracture sites with six bilateral fractures consisting of eight parasymphyseal, five body, and two angle fractures were treated. Fixation in all the cases was done using 1.5 mm titanium miniplates and 1.5 mm diameter × 4 mm length titanium screws. Plate removal in all the patients was done within 4 months. All cases showed satisfactory bone healing without any growth disturbance. There was no surgical site infection seen in any of the cases. Postoperative occlusion was stable and satisfactory. All plates and screws were removed within 4 months from the date of primary surgery, after thorough clinical assessment of lack of mobility at the operated fracture site [Table 1].
| Discussion | | |
Children have a higher surface-to-body volume ratio, basal metabolic rate, oxygen demand, and cardiac output as compared to adults. In addition, the total blood volume and stroke volume is less than adults. Subsequently; the risk of hypothermia, hypotension, and hypoxia following hemorrhage is higher in pediatric patients. Even minimal airway edema or mechanical airway obstruction of any form can compromise the narrow pediatric airway. This makes maintenance of the airway and breathing, control of hemorrhage, and early resuscitation even more critical and time-dependent in children. [4]
Facial fractures in children occur less frequently than in adults and they are more often minimally displaced. This is because a thicker layer of adipose tissue covers the more elastic pediatric bones. In addition, suture lines in pediatric patients are supple and not completely fused. The presence of tooth buds within the jaws and lack of sinus pneumatization provide better stability to the bone. [5],[6],[7] Larger size of cranium as compared to face (8:1) makes mandible less susceptible to injury. It has also been noted that children in the deciduous and mixed dentition stages demonstrate some capacity for spontaneous occlusal readjustment after injury and treatment as deciduous teeth are shed and permanent teeth erupt.
In earlier times, closed reduction with/without splints was the treatment of choice for pediatric mandibular fractures. [7],[8] However, in recent times with advances in surgery and pediatric anesthesia, ORIF provides a better alternative in management of the displaced fractures. ORIF provides three-dimensional stability, promotes primary bone healing, shortens treatment time, and eliminates the need for MMF. This improves the postoperative respiratory care, nutritional intake, oral hygiene, and superior surgical outcomes. [6]
Nonetheless, controversies still exist regarding the use of ORIF in growing children. Trauma to the developing tooth buds and growth disturbances have been cited as the most frequent reasons against the use of ORIF in growing children. The effects of internal skeletal fixation on craniofacial growth are not completely understood. [9],[10],[11],[12]
Undisplaced mandibular fractures can be treated with close observation, soft-liquid diet with analgesic support for pain management. Although certain displaced mandibular fractures may be treated using closed reduction protocols, ORIF provides superior reduction and a relatively safe and comfortable healing phase for the child.
Literature suggests that ORIF should not be used in children under 6 years of age. However, in selected cases ORIF can be performed albeit with careful assessment and proper technique. The lower border of mandible can be reduced and fixed without damage to the tooth buds. It is recommended that miniplates should not traverse suture lines or the midline of the mandible. Furthermore, plates and screws should be removed as early as 2-3 months after placement, which necessitates a second surgery. [13],[14],[15]
Pediatric patients treated for mandibular fractures rarely present with early complications like infection, malocclusion, and malunion or nonunion. Although possibility of late complications including damage to permanent tooth buds, TMJ dysfunction, and growth disturbances may warrant long-term follow-up. [16]
In view of the increasing number of mandibular fractures due to road traffic accidents and those particularly associated with dashboard injury, it would be worthy to mandate the use of seat belts and safety seats in vehicles for infants and children to reduce the incidence of pediatric maxillofacial trauma.
| Conclusion | | |
Open reduction and semirigid internal fixation with titanium miniplates is a reliable and safe method in treatment of displaced fractures of the pediatric mandible. No major complications were observed in this study with a satisfactory follow up ranging from 1.5 to 4 years. Long-term studies are however further required to assess growth and development of facial skeleton after ORIF.
| References | | |
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4], [Figure 5], [Figure 6], [Figure 7], [Figure 8]
[Table 1]
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