• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.45-50
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• 2008

Purpose: Traditionally, titanium miniplate has been used for rigid fixation of mandible fractures. However, the limitations of metal plate have been reported such as hypersensitivity, interference with the cranio-facial growth of growing child, secondary bone resorption around the plate, foreign body reaction, declination of primary callus formation, and bone atrophy, and so forth. Recently, biodegradable miniplate has been introduced and used as an alternative to the metal plate despite of its lower strength. This study evaluated the usefulness and stability of biodegradable plate and screw for treatment of mandible fractures. Methods: In this study, 61 patients(92 areas) diagnosed as mandible fracture in the last 2 years have been reviewed. We used titanium plate and screw in 32 patients, and biodegradable plate and screw($INION^{(R)}$) in 29 patients. Stability of plates and screws, bony healing process and its side effects were observed by clinical and radiographic assessment. Results: In the titanium material group, one of malocclusion, two of mouth opening limitation, three of pain, three of palpation were shown. The plate of six patients involved in these complications were removed. In the biodegradable group, two of mouth opening limitation, two of pain, one of localized wound infection were shown and one plate was removed secondarily. Conclusion: There was no statistical difference between two groups in bony healing and complication rates. Biodegradable implants show efficient stability during initial bone healing and low side effects in long-term follow up periods.

• 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.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2009

Purpose: In this study, we retrospectively investigated the medical records of patients with facial fractures and suspected cranial injuries in order to determine if there was any relationship between various facial fracture patterns and cranial injuries. Methods: Medical records were reviewed to identify patients diagnosed with facial fractures who underwent cranial computed tomography (CT) scans. Records were reviewed for gender, age, injury mechanism, facial fracture pattern, and presence or absence of cranial injuries. Facial fracture patterns were classified as isolated fractures (tripod, zygomatic arch, maxilla, orbit, and mandible), combined fractures, or total fractures. Cranial injuries included skull fractures, traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhages, subdural hemorrhages, epidural hemorrhages, and contusional hemorrhages. All cranial injuries were established by using cranial CT scans, and these kinds of cranial injuries were defined radiologically-proven cranial injuries (RPCIs). We evaluated the relationship between each pattern of facial fractures and the incidence of RPCIs. Results: Of 132 eligible patients with facial fractures who underwent cranial CT scans, a total of 27 (20.5%) patients had RPCIs associated with facial fractures. Falls and slips were the most common causes of the fractures (31.8%), followed by assaults and motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). One hundred one (76.5%) patients had isolated facial fractures, and 31 (23.5%) patients had combined facial fractures. Fractures were found most commonly in the orbital and maxillary bones. Patients with isolated maxillary fractures had a lower incidence of RPCIs than those with total mandibular fractures. RPCIs frequently accompanied combined facial fractures. Conclusion: Combined facial fractures had a significant positive correlation with RPCIs. This means that facial fractures caused by stronger or multidirectional external force are likely to be accompanied by cranial injuries.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of panoramic radiographs for detection of mandibular fractures. Materials and Methods : The sample was comprised of 65 patients (55 fractured, 10 non-fractured) with 92 fracture sites confirmed by multi-detector computed tomography (CT). Panoramic radiographs were evaluated for mandibular fractures by six examiners; two oral & maxillofacial radiologists (observer A&B), two oral & maxillofacial surgeons (observer C&D), and two general dentists (observer E&F). Results : Sensitivity of panoramic radiography for mandibular fractures was 95.7% in observer A&B, 93.5% in observer C&D and 80.4% in observer E&F. The lowest sensitivity was shown in symphyseal/parasymphyseal areas, followed by subcondylar/condylar regions. Conclusion : Panoramic radiography is adequate for detection of mandibular fractures. However, additional multidetector CT is recommended to ascertain some indecisive fractures of symphysis and condyle, and in complicated fractures.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.167-173
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• 2023

Background: Mandibular split fractures, in which the fracture occurs exclusively in the posterior wall, are uncommon. This study aimed to enhance clinicians' understanding of mandibular split fractures and offer insights for future research. Methods: This study included six patients who visited our hospital between January 2020 and June 2023 and were diagnosed with mandibular split fractures. We retrospectively collected data from patients' medical records on their age, sex, symptoms, mechanism, impact site, associated injuries, and treatment method, as well as the location, pattern, and number of fractures observed on computed tomography (CT) and panoramic images. The frequency of split fractures among all mandibular fractures was calculated. Results: The six patients included three men (50%) and three women (50%), ranging in age from 20 to 71 years (mean age, 49.8 years). The split fractures were located in the symphysis in one patient (16.7%), symphysis to parasymphysis in two patients (33.3%), parasymphysis in one patient (16.7%), and parasymphysis to the body in two patients (33.3%). Four patients (66.7%) had condylar head fractures, while two patients (33.3%) had single split fractures. The mechanism of trauma was a slip-down incident in four cases (66.7%), while two cases (33.3%) were caused by motorcycle traffic accidents. Four patients (67%) underwent intermaxillary fixation, while two patients (33%) improved with conservative treatment. Split fractures were diagnosed in all six patients on CT, whereas the fracture line was not clearly visible on panoramic images. Mandibular split fractures accounted for 5.6% of all mandibular fractures. Conclusion: This study provides insights into the clinical characteristics of rare mandibular split fractures and the diagnostic imaging findings. Furthermore, CT scans and three-dimensional image synthesis-instead of panoramic images-may be essential for accurately diagnosing mandibular fractures, including mandibular split fractures, in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.356-360
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• 1999

PURPOSE : This is to review the complicated jaw fractures that had been referred for revision of the unsatisfactory results, and to provide proper managements for the easily complicated jaw fractures. MATERIALS & METHODS : Twenty-nine patients who had been revised due to malunion or complicated fractures of facial bones for last 3 years were reviewed. The main problems required for revision, type of fractures complicated, the primary managements to be reclaimed, the specialties to be involved, the management to be reclaimed, time elapsed to seek reoperation, type of revision surgeries, residual complication were analysed with medical records, radiographs and final examinations. RESULTS: The major complaints were malocclusion(79.3%), facial disfigurement(41.3%), TMJ problems (13.7%), neurologic problems(10.3%), non-union(10.3%), and infection(6.8%). Unsatisfactory results were occurred most frequently after improper management of the multiple fractures of the mandible (62.2%), combined fractures of maxilla and mandible (20.6%), fracture of zygomatico-maxillary complex and midpalate (17.2%). The complications to be corrected were widened or collapsed dental arches (79.3%), improperly reduced condyles (41.3%), painful TMJ (34.4%), limited jaw excursion (31.0%), over-reduction of zygoma (13.7%), and nonunion with infection(13.7%). and dysesthesia (10.3%). The primary managements were nendereet by plastic surgeons in 82.7%(24/29) and by oral surgeons in 7.6%(2/29). Main causes of malunion are inadequate ORIF in 76%, unawareness & delay in 17%, and delayed due to systemic cares in 17%. 76% of 29 patients had been in state of intermaxillary fixation for over 4 weeks. Revision were done by means of "refracture and ORIF"in 48.2%(14/29), orthognathic osteotomies with bone grafts in 55.1%(16/29), and camouflage countering & alloplastic implantations in 37.9%(11/29), TMJ surgeries in 17.2%, micro-neurosurgeries in 11.6%. Residual complications were limited mouth opening in 24.1% (7/29), paresthesia in 13.7%, resorption of reduced condyle in 10.3%. CONCLUSIONS : Failure of initial treatment of jaw fractures is due to improper diagnosis and inadequate treatment with lack of sufficient knowledge of stomatognathic system. It is crucial to judge jaw fracture and patients accurately, moreover, the best way of treatments has to be selected. Consideration of these factors in treatment could minimize the complication of jaw fractures.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.71-75
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• 2005

This study evaluated retrospectively the treatment method and postoperative complications of communited mandibular fractures. We analyzed the clinical and radiologic data of 14 patients with the comminuted mandibular fractures who were admitted to Chosun University Dental Hospital from January 1998 to December 2003. We reviewed the cause of trauma, fracture sites, treatment methods, and postoperative complications. Thirteen patients (93%) had a successful treatment outcome without complications. Only one patient developed postoperative osteomyelitis requiring early plate removal and sequestrectomy. For the comminuted fractures of mandible, internal fixation using micro- or mini-plate was an effective treatment method with a low incidence of major complications.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.105-109
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• 2021

The use of a fibula osteocutaneous flap is currently the mainstay of segmental mandibular reconstruction. This type of flap is used to treat tumors, trauma, or osteoradionecrosis of the mandible. However, a fibula osteocutaneous flap may also be a good option for reconstructing the mandible to preserve oropharyngeal function and facial appearance in cases of pathological fracture requiring extensive segmental bone resection. Chronic osteomyelitis is one of the various causes of subsequent pathologic mandibular fractures; however, it is rare, and there have been few reports using free flaps in osteomyelitis of the mandible. We share our experience with a 76-year-old patient who presented with a pathologic fracture following osteomyelitis of the mandible that was reconstructed using a fibula osteocutaneous flap after wide segmental resection.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.253-258
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• 2014

Purpose: Maxillofacial fractures are rapidly increasing from car accidents, industrial accidents, teenaged criminal activity, and sports injuries. Accurate assessment, appropriate diagnosis, and preparing individual treatment plans are necessary to reduce surgical complications. We investigated recent trends of facial bone fracture by period, cause, and type, with the objective of reducing surgical complications. Methods: To investigate time trends of maxillofacial fractures, we reviewed medical records from 2,196 patients with maxillofacial fractures in 1981~1987 (Group A), 1995~1999 (Group B), and 2008~2012 (Group C). We analyzed each group, comparing the number of patients, sex ratio, age, fracture site, and etiology. Results: The number of patients in each period was 418, 516, and 1,262 in Groups A to C. Of note is the increase in the number of patients from Group A to C. The sex ratios were 5.6:1, 3.5:1, and 3.8:1 in Groups A, B, and C. The most affected age group for fracture is 20~29 in all three groups. Traffic accidents are the most common cause in Groups A and B, while there were somewhat different causes of fracture in Group C. Sports-induced facial trauma was twice as high in Group C compared with Group A and B. Mandible fracture accounts for a large portion of facial bone fractures overall. Conclusion: We observed an increase in facial bone fracture patients at Kyungpook National University Dental Hospital over the years. Although facial injury caused by traffic accidents was still a major cause of facial bone fracture in all periods, the percentage decreased. In recent years, isolated mandible fracture increased but mandible and mid-facial complex fracture decreased, possibly because of a reduction in traffic accidents.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.320-324
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• 2010

Introduction: The placement of a single miniplate is not sufficient to achieve rigid fixation in mandibular angle fractures. It often causes difficulties in reducing the intermaxillary fixation (IMF) period. Consequently, the placement of 2 miniplates is preferable. The intraoral approach in an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of a mandibular angle fracture with 2 miniplates is often challenging. Accordingly, an alternative of transbuccal approach is performed. However, this method leaves a scar on the face and can result in facial nerve injury. This clinical study suggests a protocol that can maintain rigid fixation without a transbuccal approach in mandibular angle fractures. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 7 patients who sustained fractures of the mandibular angle and treated at Department of Oral and maxillofacial surgery, Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University. ORIF under general anesthesia was done using the intraoral approach. One miniplate was inserted on external oblique ridge of the mandible, and the other was placed on lateral surface of the mandibular body with contra-angle drill and driver. A radiographic assessment and occlusal contact point examination was carried out before surgery, and 2, 4 and 6 weeks after surgery. Results: The mean operation time was 80 minutes. Regarding the occlusion state, the number of contact points increased after surgery. Paresthesia and infection were reported to be complications before surgery. Conclusion: The placement of 2 miniplates using contra-angle drill for ORIF of mandibular angle fractures allows early movement of the mandible without IMF. We propose this approach to reduce the patients’discomfort and simplify the surgical procedure.