Epidemiology, Pattern, and Management of Midsagittal and Parasagittal Palatal Fractures through Placement of Intra-arch Wire

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the epidemiology, pattern, and concomitant injuries associated with midsagittal and parasagittal palatal fractures and to assess the postoperative complications associated with treatment by placement of intra-arch wiring for their management. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was carried out on 22 patients of maxillofacial trauma who were diagnosed with midsagittal or parasagittal palatal fractures and were treated by placement of intra-arch wires during August 2020 to January 2022 in the Department of Dentistry, Shyam Shah Medical College Rewa. All the cases were treated with open reduction/closed reduction for the management of concomitant injury. Results: Out of a total of 31 cases diagnosed with palatal fractures during the study duration, the most common palatal fractures were parasagittal (41.93%) and sagittal fractures (29.03%), which met the inclusion criterion of the study (n = 22). Sagittal and parasagittal fractures of the palate were commonly seen in males with a male-to-female ratio of 10:1. The mean age of occurrence was 32.04 ± 11.29 years. The mean duration of surgery was 7.9 ± 2.28 min. Occlusal discrepancy requiring an orthodontic intervention for correction was seen in 1 (4.54%) patient. In 3 (13.63%) patients, occlusal discrepancy was managed by prolonging the duration of intermaxillary fixation. Conclusion: Intra-arch wiring is a simple, cost-effective, and quick method for the management of midsagittal and parasagittal fractures of palatal fractures. It eliminates the need of a second surgery for the removal of plates that are placed in open reduction of palatal fractures.