• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.259-265
• /
• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of intracapsular fracture lines of the mandibular condyle on the anatomical and functional recovery after non-surgical closed treatment. Methods: Clinical and radiological follow-up of 124 patients with intracapsular fractures of the mandibular condyle was performed after closed treatment between 2005 and 2012. The intracapsular fractures were classified into three categories: type A (medial condylar pole fracture), type B (lateral condylar pole fracture with loss of vertical height) and type M (multiple fragments or comminuted fracture). Results: By radiological finding, fracture types B and M lost up to 24% vertical height of the mandibular condyle compared to the height on the opposite side. In Type M, moderate to severe dysfunction was observed in 33% of the cases. Bilateral fractures were significantly associated with the risk of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction in fracture types A and B. Bilateral fracture and TMJ dysfunction were not statistically significantly associated in type M fractures. Conclusion: Most of the mandibular intracapsular condylar fractures recovered acceptably after conservative non-surgical treatment with functional rehabilitation, even with some anatomical shortening of the condylar height. The poor functional recovery encountered in type M fractures, especially in cases with additional fracture sites and bilateral fractures, points up the limitation of closed treatment in such cases.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.83-92
• /
• 1998

Fractures of the clavicles are extremely common, accounting for 5 to 10% of all injuries in the adult skeletal trauma. Despite this, nonunions and symptomatic malunions after clavicular fracture are uncommon. When these complications occur, however, they may be associated with 11 pattern of disability that includes not only pain but also impairment of upper extremity function. The purpose of this study was to clarify the outcome of clavicular fractures treated by conservatively, and emphasize treatment and factors that possibly predispose a clavicular fracture to poor function or nonunion. We evaluated 9] consecutive fractures of the middle-third of the clavicle in adults which had been treated conservatively. There were 59 males and 33 females ranging in age from 17 to 80 years (average 36.8 years). Nine of the 91 fractures (10%) had developed nonunion, and 4 fractures (4.4%) reported unsatisfactory results. No patients had significant impairment of range of motion or strength as a result of the injury. We found that initial shortening at the fracture of≥20mm(6 cases) had a highly significantly association with nonunion(P<0.0001). Final shortening of 20mm or more (4 cases) was associated with an unsatisfactory result, but not with nonunion(P<0.0001). Our results have led us to recommend the open reduction and internal fixation of severely displaced fractures of the middle third of the clavicle in adults patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.775-782
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Nasal bone fracture is most common facial bone fracture. The cause of fractures is mainly trauma such as fighting, automobile accident and fall down, and it commonly involves young males. Very frequently nasal bone fractures are associated with other facial injuries such as orbital bone fracture, maxillary bone fracture and nasal septal deformities. Because of various dynamic directions of power are involved, phenomenon of fractures are also various and treatment cannot be simple. Methods: We studied and analyzed retrospectively 452 cases nasal bone fractures from January 2008 to December 2010. Diagnosis were made with physical examination, Nasal bone X-rays, Facial bone CT and 3D facial bone CT. Four surgeons are involved in treatments of these patients and applied different procedure along patient's condition and deformity. We analyzed the cause of nasal bone fractures, deformities, associate injuries and applied surgical technique, and patient's satisfaction rate. In this study, old nasal bone fractures were excluded. Results: Young male group was most commonly sustained nasal bone fracture and physical violence was most common cause of injury. 64 of 452 patient was involved associate injuries of face. Closed reduction were applied 246 cases and C-arm quide reduction were 167 cases and in 20 cases lateral osteotomy were applied. Approximately, more than 80% of the Patients were satisfied with the outcomes. Conclusion: Diagnosis and treatment of nasal bone fractures are considered simple but because of various deformity and associate injuries, treatment is not always simple and universal. Time to time, we face unsatisfied patient after treatment of nasal bone fractures. For obtaining satisfactory result, cause of injury and state of deformities and associate injuries such as nasal septal deformity should be evaluated properly and proper treatment should be applied.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.359-372
• /
• 2015

Rock masses include various rock discontinuities such as faults, joints, and bedding planes. These discontinuities appear as complex structures in geometry. In this study, growth patterns of fractures between two stepping shear fracture tips are numerically modeled using PFC2D (Particle Flow Code). The numerical model showed not only incipient growth of fractures at the tips of preexisting fractures but also subsequent growth of the new fractures. It is observed from all of the experiments that the incipient fractures are tensile cracks developed at $30{\sim}57^{\circ}$ to the preexisting fractures and the subsequent growth of these fractures were at low angles to the preexisting fractures this study.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.49-57
• /
• 2006

Mandibular fractures have higher incidence rate compared to facial bone fractures because of relatively prominent form. Specially, mandibular angle fractures were known as common fracture site because of morphological anatomic structure. The mandibular third molar appears to be the most frequent impacted tooth. The mandibular third molar have influence on mandibular angle fractures according to it's eruption state. Also, the mandibular angle fracture including the third molar may influence on post operative infection whether the third molar is in impacted or extracted state when reduction of fracture site is operated. The presence or absence and degree of impaction of the mandibular third molar were assessed for each patient and were related to the occurrence of the mandibular angle fracture. The extraction or non extraction of the mandibular third molar were related to the occurrence of the post operative infection in the reduction of mandibular angle fractures. In the presence of mandibular third molar, the possibility of mandibular angle fractures were relatively common. When viewing the mandibular third molar at occlusal plane, the possibility of mandibular angle fractures were high in the class C group. The possibility of mandibular angle fractures were high in the mesial angulation and partial impaction. There was a statistically significant difference(P<0.05). In complete erupted mandibular third molar, the possibility of post operative infection occurs quite often, but there was no statistical significant difference(P>0.05). In the extracted or non extracted of mandibular third molar, the post operative infection showed no statistical significant difference(P>0.05). With the results mentioned above, mandibular third molar was significantly more susceptible to mandibular angle fracture. In the reduction of mandibular angle fracture, it was recommended that mandibular third molar should be extracted especially in case of pericoronitis, periodontitis and other infections.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.448-456
• /
• 2011

Introduction: Condylar fractures are common in the maxillofacial region, comprising 29-40 percent of all mandibular fractures, accounting for about 20-62 percent). Previous studies reported that pediatric condylar fractures can cause disorders in facial growth and function, and the treatment methods have been controversial. Recently, conservative treatment has shown good results in skeletal growth and functional recovery but the conservative treatment of pediatric condylar fractures has shown unpredictable and undesirable results in some cases, such as facial asymmetry and temporomandibular joint disorder. This study examined the specific age groups and specific mandibular condylar fracture type in growing children treated conservatively in the past. Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients (10 men and 8 women) who received conservative treatment for unilateral condylar fractures in Dankook University Dental Hospital between 2000 to 2007 were followed up for a mean period of 7.2 years. Results: In the survey of 18 pediatric patients who received conservative treatment for condylar fractures, the incidence of temporomandibular dysfunction and growth disturbance was 45% and 35%, respectively. Conclusion: In all complications, the symptoms observed most frequently was mouth opening displacement of the mandible exceeding 2 mm. The other complications of functional and growth disturbance included facial asymmetry concentrated along specific condylar types. Complications including facial asymmetry and functional and growth disturbances showed an increasing tendency according to the specific fracture types. Functional and growth disturbances in the undisplaced condylar fracture type showed a lower incidence(P <0.05). Functional and growth disturbances differed according to the fracture type, which has poor relationship with articular fossa and condyle(P <0.05). Functional and growth disturbance in the cases of the high-level condylar fracture type showed a higher incidence(P <0.05). The functional and growth disturbances of the fracture types were similar in the fragment-contact and non-contact groups(P >0.05).

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.55-59
• /
• 2005

The proper management of the pediatric facial bone fracture is critical in the facial bone development. This study characterizes the surgically treated patient population suffering from facial bone fractures by the use of current data from a large series consisting of 201 cases. The data was gathered through a retrospective chart review of patients surgically treated for facial bone fractures at the department of plastic and reconstructive surgery, Sanggye Paik hospital, Inje university medical center, collected over 10-years period from January, 1993 to December, 2002. Data regarding patient demographics(age, sex), seasonal distribution, location of fractures, and the causes of injury with admission periods, were collected. In total, there were 201cases of pediatric facial bone fractures. Male patients outnumbered female patients by a 5.48: 1 ratio and were found to engage in a wider range of behaviors that resulted in facial bone fractures. Physical violence was the leading cause of pediatric facial bone fractures(27.9%), followed by sports-related mechanisms (22.9%) and falling down(17.9%). The most prevalent age group was 11-15 years-old(71.1%) and there was a 14.3% prevalence in March. Among the location of fractures, the nasal bone was the most prevalent, accounting for 82.3% of injuries, followed by the orbit(9.95%), and the mandible fractures(7.5%). Most patients(59.7%) were treated within 6-9 days after trauma and the mean hospitalization period was 8-11 days. We should follow up the surgically treated patients, and they will be further evaluated about postoperative sequele and effect on the facial bone development. These studies demonstrate differences in the demographics and clinical presentation that, if applied to patients, will enable a more accurate diagnosis and proper management.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.175-179
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Sternal fractures after blunt thoracic trauma can cause significant pain and disability. They are relatively uncommon as a result of direct trauma to the sternum and open reduction is reserved for those with debilitating pain and fracture displacement. We reviewed consecutive 11 cases of open reduction and fixation of sternum and tried to find standard approach to the traumatic sternal fractures with severe displacement. Methods: From December 2008 to August 2010, the medical records of 11 patients who underwent surgical reduction and fixation of sternum for sternal fractures with severe displacement were reviewed. We investigated patients' characteristics, chest trauma, associated other injuries, type of open reduction and fixation, combined operations, preoerative ventilator support and postoperative complications. Results: The mean patient age was 59.3years (range, 41~79). The group comprised 6 male and 5 female subjects. Among 11 patients who underwent open reduction and fixation for sternal fracture with severe displacement, 6 cases had isolated sternal fractures and the other 5 patients had associated other injuries. Sternal fractures were caused by car accidents (9/11, 81.8%), falling down (1/11, 9.1%) and direct blunt trauma to the sternum (1/11, 9.1%), respectively. 3 of the 7 patients (42.9%) who underwent sternal plating with longitudinal plates showed loosening of fixation. Otherwise, none of the 4 patients who underwent surgical fixation using T-shaped plate had stable alignment of the fracture. Conclusion: Sternal fractures with severe displacement need to be repaired to prevent chronic pain, instability of the anterior chest wall, deformity of the sternum, and even kyphosis. In the present study, a T-shaped plate with a compression-tension mechanism constitutes the treatment of choice for displaced sternal fractures.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.10-17
• /
• 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes after treatment of proximal humeral fractures with locking plates, and to determine which factors influence the clinical and radiological outcomes. Methods: Fifty six patients who were treated with locking plates for proximal humeral fractures and had been followed for more than 1 year were enrolled in this study. We performed functional evaluation using the Constant score and analyzed radiographic results. The following factors that may potentially influence the clinical outcomes were assessed: age, gender, type of fracture, presence of medial metaphyseal comminution, bone mineral density, anatomical reduction, restoration of medial mechanical support, and postoperative complications. Results: The mean Constant score was 70.1 points at the final follow-up. Female gender, 4-part fractures, AO type-C fractures, and fractures with medial metaphyseal comminution were associated with a poor clinical outcome. On the other hand, restoration of medial mechanical support and accurate anatomical reduction had a positive influence on clinical outcomes. Postoperative complications resulted in 3 patients (intra-articular screw perforation: 1 patient, varus deformity with screw loosening: 1 patient, nonunion: 1 patient). Conclusions: When treating proximal humeral fractures with locking plate fixation, following factors: a female gender, Neer type 4-part fracture, AO type C fracture, and medial metaphyseal comminution are important risk factors that surgeons should take into consideration. Factors that contribute to better clinical outcomes of operative treatment for humeral fractures are accurate anatomical reduction and restoration of medial mechanical support.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.224-229
• /
• 2007

Vertebral compression fractures can occur due to trauma, a malignancy, or most commonly, osteoporosis. These fractures are frequently seen in elderly women; 30% of postmenopausal women are affected by vertebral compression fractures. These fragile fractures frequently result in both acute and chronic pain, but more importantly, are a source of increased morbidity and possibly, mortality. These injuries can be treated both conservatively and with surgery. The use of percutaneous vertebral augmentation offers a minimally invasive approach for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures. We experienced two cases of compression fractures diagnosed during the treatment of thoracic postherpetic neuralgia. Two patients suffering from postherpetic neuralgia with a sharp and stabbing pain in the thoracic dermatomes that was unresponsive to conservative treatment were transferred to our clinic. During the management of postherpetic neuralgia, we incidentally found thoracic compression fractures after obtaining fluoroscopic guided images. After a balloon kyphoplasty, the preoperative pain related to the postherpetic neuralgia was successfully relieved soon after the procedure, and there were no complications.