• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.555-558
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• 2011

Purpose: It is relatively unusual that infraorbital rim fracture is accompanied by nasal bone fracture. In order to correct effectively, subciliary approach and intranasal manipulation are applied simultaneously. But if reduction is not successful, intranasal manipulation may become aggressive and this often causes complications. We introduce a method using intermaxillary fixation screws for decreasing such complications and effective reduction of fracture. Methods: Total seven patients with fracture of frontal process of maxilla were treated with this method. The fracture site was exposed through the subciliary approach, and one or two screws were inserted into the displaced fracture fragment. During the traction of the screws using the wire, the fracture fragment was pushed upward from the intranasal side using an elevator supplementarily and fixed with a plate and the screws. Results: In all patients, the fracture fragment was reduced successfully and no complication occurred during one year's postoperative follow-up. Conclusion: When reduction cannot be attained through a bone hook or an elevator alone, reduction of fracture fragment can be done easily using intermaxillary fixation screws. This method is less likely to cause a mucosal injury because intranasal manipulation is not aggressive. Furthermore, as the screw can be inserted and removed easily, this method is considered effective not only for fracture of frontal process of maxilla but also for fractures in other regions.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.131-135
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• 2015

Background: Variable methods have been introduced for reduction of the zygomatic fractures. The Dingman elevator is used widely to reduce these fractures but is inappropriate in certain types of fractures which require atypical traction vectors. We introduce and examine an alternate method of reducing zygomatic fractures using wire and hook traction. Methods: A retrospective study was performed for all zygomatic fracture patients admitted between 2008 and 2014. Medially rotated fractures were reduced by using a wire looped through an intermaxillary screw secured on the medial side of the zygoma. Laterally rotated fractures were reduced using a hook introduced through an infrazygomatic skin incision. Results: No accidental bleeding or incomplete reduction was observed in any of the cases. Postoperative imaging demonstrated proper reduction immediately after the operation. Follow-up computed tomography study at 1 month after operation also demonstrated proper reduction and healthy union across the previous site of fracture. Conclusion: The hook and wire method allowed precise application of traction forces across zygomatic fractures. The fractured bone fragment could be pulled in the direction precisely opposite to the vector of impact at the time of trauma. Soft tissue damage due to dissection was minimized. In particular, this method was effective in reducing rotated bone fragments and can be an alternative option to using the zygoma elevator.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.570-575
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• 2001

This study evaluated the short-term outcome of treating fractures of the mandible with bioabsorbable plates. Thirty-four fractures of the mandible in 27 patients were treated by open reduction and internal fixation using bioabsorbable plates and 2.4-mm, 2.0-mm, and 1.5-mm pre-tapped screws. The duration of intermaxillary fixation ranged from 0 to 23 days, with a mean of 5.3 days. Patients were evaluated for complications during the follow-up period, which ranged from 2 to 18 months. Five patients(18.5%) experienced complications. These included infection (four patients), and premature occlusal contact(one patient). Except for one case, all complications were minor and adequately managed with incision and drainage, elastic traction, and medication. Delayed infection (osteomyelitis) developed in a symphysis fracture and was treated by saucerization and antibiotics. The fracture line subsequently showed complete consolidation. Bioabsorbable plates can be selectively used for internal fixation in mandibular fractures with the advantage that they do not need to be removed.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.259-264
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• 2015

We describe our experience with conservative condylectomy for the correction of facial asymmetry in five patients with osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle. All five patients presented with malocclusion and facial asymmetry, which are common clinical findings of osteochondroma involving the mandibular condyle. We performed conservative condylectomy without additional orthognathic surgery for all five patients, preserving the vertical height of the condylar process as much as possible. Following surgery, intermaxillary traction using a skeletal anchorage system with rubber elastics was performed on all patients to improve occlusion, and, when necessary, additional minimal orthodontic treatment was performed. The mean follow-up period was 42 months. At the last follow-up visit, all patients exhibited satisfactory facial symmetry and remodeling of the remaining condyle, with stable health and no signs of recurrence. In conclusion, conservative condylectomy alone, without subsequent orthognathic surgery, is adequate for the restoration of facial symmetry and the preservation of vertical condylar height in select patients with condylar osteochondroma.