• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 2012

Purpose: This study considered the effects and proper treatments of mandibular condyle fractures by comparing clinical differences and complications according to analysis and treatment plan. Methods: From September 2007 to August 2010, patients who were diagnosed with condylar fracture and monitored for more than 3 months were selected. Cases were divided in a reductive manner and evaluated by type and period of intermaxillary fixation (IMF), status of occlusion and trismus according to the Spiessle/Schroll method. A total 50 patients were examined. Results: The number of the unilateral condyle fractures was 45 and 30 patients had multiple fractures. Type of fracture was categorized by the Spiessle/Schroll method. There were 21 patients with type I, 11 patients with type II, 3 patients with type 3, 10 patients with type V and 5 patients with type VI; there were no patients with a type IV fracture. 11 patients were operated on with open reduction. Among them, 9 patients were type II and 2 patients were type I. For type I patients, an intra-oral approach was conducted with an endoscope and trocar. For 3 of the type II patients, an retromandibular approach was conducted and for the rest of the type II patients, the same approach as type I was used. The periods of IMF were 2.36 weeks (mean) in open reduction group and 2.9 weeks (mean) in closed reduction group and the total mean period is 2.78 weeks. All patients had stable occlusion after removing the IMF. Trismus occurred in 1 patient for open reduction and 5 patients for closed reduction. Facial nerve palsy was observed in one patient postoperatively that resolved after 6 months. Conclusion: In this study, similar prognosis was shown after an open and closed reduction was conducted. Therefore, treatments need to be planned depending on the degree of condyle fracture and the amount of displacement. Additionally, the period of IMF could be shortened with open reduction.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.199-209
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• 2010

The locking compression plates-distal femur(LCP-DF) are being widely used for surgical management of the extra-articular complex fractures of the distal femur. They feature locking mechanism between the screws and the screw holes of the plate to provide stronger fixation force with less number of screws than conventional compression bone plate. However, their biomechanical efficacies are not fully understood, especially regarding the number of the screws inserted and their optimal configurations. In this study, we investigated effects of various screw configurations in the shaft and the condylar regions of the femur in relation to structural stability of LCP-DF system. For this purpose, a baseline 3-D finite element (FE) model of the femur was constructed from CT-scan images of a normal healthy male and was validated. The extra-articular complex fracture of the distal femur was made with a 4-cm defect. Surgical reduction with LCP-DF and bone screws were added laterally. To simulate various cases of post-op screw configurations, screws were inserted in the shaft (3~5 screws) and the condylar (4~6 screws) regions. Particular attention was paid at the shaft region where screws were inserted either in clustered or evenly-spaced fashion. Tied-contact conditions were assigned at the bone screws-plate whereas general contact condition was assumed at the interfaces between LCP-DF and bone screws. Axial compressive load of 1,610N(2.3 BW) was applied on the femoral head to reflect joint reaction force. An average of 5% increase in stiffness was found with increase in screw numbers (from 4 to 6) in the condylar region, as compared to negligible increase (less than 1%) at the shaft regardless of the number of screws inserted or its distribution, whether clustered or evenly-spaced. At the condylar region, screw insertion at the holes near the fracture interface and posterior locations contributed greater increase in stiffness (9~13%) than any other locations. Our results suggested that the screw insertion at the condylar region can be more effective than at the shaft during surgical treatment of fracture of the distal femur with LCP-DF. In addition, screw insertion at the holes close to the fracture interface should be accompanied to ensure better fracture healing.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.161-168
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• 2010

Purpose: Surgical approaches to the condylar neck and subcondyle area can cause some morbidity such as, facial nerve injury, time-consuming nature and external scar etc. So many surgeons hesitate using open reduction and internal fixation for the treatment of subcondylar fractures. We report open reduction and internal fixation of subcondylar fractures in 13 adult patients via transmasseteric approach. Methods: From 2007 to 2009, 13 adults with subcondylar fracture of mandible were treated with open reduction and internal fixation via transmasseteric approach. A preauricular incision was extended downwards in a curvilinear fashion in the cervicomastoid skin crease. Skin flap was elevated above the SMAS layer. Masseter muscle was splitted at the anteroinferior edge of the parotid gland. After the fracture was reduced, fixed with appropriate plates and screws. All operation were performed under general anesthesia. Results: Mean follow-up period was 13.3 months. There were no signs and symptoms of facial nerve injury, difficulty in mouth opening, or malocclusion. Dissection time was roughly within 30 minutes. Conclusion: Transmasseteric open reduction and internal fixation of mandible subcondylar fracture can be performed with excellent visualization, and inconspicuous scar. It also offers swift access to the subcondylar area while substatially reducing the risk to the facial nerve and eliminating the complications associated with transparotid approaches.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.62-66
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• 2011

Introduction: Endoscope-assisted open reduction and internal fixation (EAORIF) reduces the amount of facial scaring, but limitations, such as the possibility to convert to the open technique and the large learning curve, remain. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 19 patients diagnosed as lateral overridden subcondyle fractures and treated with endoscope-assisted open reduction and internal fixation at Yonsei University Health System from December 2006 to August 2010 were reviewed. Results: 11 patients underwent temporary discomfort or pain such as limitation of mouth opening, temporomandibular joint discomfort, lip paresthesia or facial weakness, but the symptoms disappeared within 3 months. There was no severe long-term complication except 2 patients with re-fractures of operated subcondyles. Conclusion: Subcondyle fracture with lateral overridden proximal segment is a better indication of endoscope-assisted open reduction and internal fixation than a condylar head/neck fracture, or medial overridden subcondyle fracture: allowing an anatomic reduction.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.453-458
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• 2004

Mandibular fracture is less common in children than in adults. However, children are more susceptible to ankylosis and developmental disorders, and don't respond as well to intermaxillary fixation compared to adults. On the other hand, bone fracture is healed more quickly in children and complications are scarce. Mandibular fracture in children is usually treated successfully with acrylic splint therapy with or without the use of eyelet wires and intermaxillary fixation. Severe complications that include ankylosis and developmental disorders may occur. The frequency and severity of such complications can be mitigated with a shorter duration of intermaxillary fixation and good post-operative care. Encouraging mandibular physical therapy by increasing patient motivation may be necessary in such cases where the patient's response is poor and the duration of intermaxillary fixation increases; when the patient is unable to undergo physical therapy, or when intermaxillary fixation is not necessary with the patient showing only minor symptoms such as trismus. In this case report, a 6 year-old girl with bilateral condylar fracture was treated with elastic in both the upper and lower jaws to allow mandibular physical therapy using a Benoist's appliance, which allows opening, lateral, and protrusive retrusive movements of the mandible. A 7-month follow-up showed beneficial therapeutic effects such as increased mandibular movement and prevention of condylar ankylosis.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.497-504
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• 2011

Purpose: Patients who had a subcondylar fracture with a displaced or deviated condylar segment were treated with a retromandibular approach (RMA) or an endoscope-assisted transoral approach (EATA) in our department of oral and maxillofacial surgery. The clinical results of the approaches were compared. A comparative study of specific approaches for subcondylar fractures has not been published before in Korea. Methods: Twenty-one patients with subcondylar fractures of the mandible were included. Ten patients were treated with the retromandibular approach and 11 were treated with an endoscope-assisted transoral approach. We examined patient age, gender, fracture sites, classifications, period of maxillomandibular fixation, facial nerve (FN) or greater auricular nerve (GAN) injuries, maximal mouth opening, deflection, occlusal changes, number of plates, follow-up period, and other complications. Preoperative computed tomography and pre-operative, post-operative, and follow-up panoramic views were taken of each patient. Results: Mean maximal mouth openings were similar between the two approaches. FN and GAN injuries were more frequent in the RMA group but the deflective rate with mouth opening was higher in the EATA than that in RMA group. Two cases of post-operative infection occurred in the EATA group, and occlusal changes were observed in one case for both approaches. Conclusion: The RMA offers more direct access and visualization of the surgical field but it can cause scars and retractive injuries of the FN and GAN. But, EATA did not result in consequent nerve injuries or scars postoperatively, but unfavorable fractures such as $medial$ $override$ condyles were more difficult to reduce endoscopically. Except cases of an expected difficult reduction, the treatment of choice for a displaced subcondylar fracture may be an EATA.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.142-149
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• 2009

Purpose: We wanted to assess the radiological and clinical results and the prognostic factors after an operation for capitellar fractures associated with/without other injury around the elbow. Materials and Methods: Among the 25 patients (mean age: 49 years-old) who underwent open reduction and internal fixation for capitellar fractures, there were nineteen type 1 fractures and six type 3 fractures. The mean follow up period was 14.8 months. We assessed the factors affecting the radiological and functional results, such as the fracture pattern, the patient age and the surgical approaches. Results: In 24 of 25 patients, bony union was achieved at postoperative 1 year. There were eighteen excellent, four good, two fair and one poor functional results according to the Broberg and Morrey elbow score. The most common type was type 1 and the most common associated injury was lateral condylar fracture. The patients with type 1 fracture rather than the patients with type 3 fracture and the patients who had an extraarticular associated fracture rather than an intraarticular associated fracture had better clinical outcomes. Conclusion: 22 (88%) of the patients were satisfied at the result. The type of capitellar fracture and an associated intraarticular elbow fracture were shown to be important prognostic factors in this study.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.204-208
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• 2001

The purpose of this study is to examine the change of enzymeimmuno-assay for $prostaglandinE_2$ in the synovial fluid lavage specimen of patients with mandibular fracture patients without condylar fracture. For this study, fourteen patients (eight males, six females) with mandibular fractures without condylar fracture was investigated to analyse the synovial fluid from upper temporomandibular joint cavities. Synovial fluid was collected from TMJ cavities of mandibular fracture patients before open reduction and after one week of open reduction, and then stored in liquid nitrogen tank after centrifuge. Two synovial fluid lavage samples of TMJs of 2 asymptomatic served as normal controls referred from other data. The concentrations of $PGE_2$ were measured by use of $PGE_2$ EIA System ($Amersham^{(R)}$). The following results were obtained: 1) In nine patients, the concentrations of $PGE_2$ are lower after open reduction than before. 2) In three patients, the concentrations of $PGE_2$ are higher after open reduction than before. 3) There was no statistical significant between the preoperative group and postoperative 7 days (p>0.05), but there was some difference between the two groups. In conclusion, the results suggest that $PGE_2$ probably does not play as important role in the harm of TMJ.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.207-217
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the stress distribution and displacement in mandible according to treatment modalities of mandibular angle fractures, using a three dimensional finite element analysis. A mechanical model of an edentulous mandible was generated from 3D scan. A 100-N axial load and four masticatory muscular supporting system were applied to this model. According to the number, location and materials of titanium and biodegradable polymer plates, the experimental groups were divided into five types. Type I had a single titanium plate in the superior border of mandibular angle, type II had two titanium plates in the superior tension border and in the inferior compression border of mandibular angle, type III had a single titanium plate in the ventral area of mandibular angle, type IV had a single biodegradable polymer plate in the superior border of mandibular angle, type V had a single biodegradable polymer plate in the ventral area of mandibular angle. The results obtained from this study were follows: 1. Stress was concentrated on the condylar neck of the fractured side except Type III. 2. The values of von-Mises stress of the screws were the highest in the just-posterior screw of the fracture line, and in the just-anterior screw of Type III. 3. The displacement of mandible in Type III was 0.04 mm, and in Type I, II, IV, and V were 0.10 mm. 4. The plates were the most stable in the ventral area of mandibular angle (Type III, V). In conclusion, the ventral area of mandibular angle is the most stable location in the fixation of mandibular angle fractures, and the just- posterior and/or the just-anterior screws of the fracture line must be longer than the other, and surgeons have to fix accurately these screws, and the biodegradable polymer plate also was suitable for the treatment of mandible angle fracture.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.792-796
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• 2006

Purpose: After exposure of fracture site, the proximal segment must be reduced to their preinjury position for open reduction of fractured mandibular condyle. We examined the use of inter-maxillary fixation screws or titanium screws tied with stainless steel wire to assist in positioning of proximal segment. Since it enables to make a relatively small preauricular incision by not disturbing the operative field like Moule pin, we can reduce the danger of injury to the facial nerve. Methods: A preauricular approach was used for exposure, reduction, and rigid fixation in 4 cases of mandibular condylar fractures. Inter-maxillary fixation screws or titanium screws tied with stainless steel wire were used to assist in aligning proximal segment. The joints were submitted to functional exercises and postoperative radiologic and clinical follow-ups were performed. Results: No facial nerve lesions were found in all 4 cases. Radiologic follow-up showed correct reduction and fixation in all 4 cases. Clinical follow-up showed an initial limitation, but normal morbility of the condyle was achieved within 4 months after the operation, with a maximum mouth opening of $34.1{\pm}5.2mm$ after 12 months. There found no occlusal disturbances, no trismus, no lateral deviations of the mandible. Conclusion: By using Inter-maxillary fixation screws tied with stainless steel wire, it was shown that reducing the proximal segment to their preinjury position is easy to perform and it enables us to make a minimal dissection below preauricular skin incision to avoid facial nerve injury.