INTERESTING CASE: Arch bar support using self-drilling intermaxillary fixation screws

Abstract

A 35-year-old man presented to hospital 8 days after an assault with an infected fracture of the left body of his mandible. He was apyrexial and was started on a course of co-amoxiclav. The lower 7 in the fracture line was extracted and the small buccal space infection was adequately drained through the extraction socket. The fracture was reduced manually and seemed stable with the teeth in occlusion. We decided to treat him with arch bars placed on maxillary and mandibular teeth using pre-stretched 0.4 mm stainless steel wire. Two fixed bridges replacing the upper left central incisor and upper left first premolar were present. To avoid damage to the bridges, the arch bar was secured by wires threaded through self-drilling self-tapping screws placed in the alveolar bone over the pontics (Fig. 1). He was extubated and later the same day placed into intermaxillary fixation. Radiographs showed a good reduction of the fracture and satisfactory positioning of the IMF screws (Fig. 2). The fracture healed uneventfully. The arch bars and screws were removed 6 weeks later in the outpatient department. Erratum to “INTERESTING CASE: Arch bar support using self-drilling intermaxillary fixation screws” [Br. J. Oral. Maxillofac. Surg. 43 (2005) 364]British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryVol. 43Issue 5PreviewThe Publisher regrets that incorrect author details appeared in the above interesting case, which was published in the August 2005 issue of the journal. The full author details are listed below. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused. Full-Text PDF