弾性床副子によるがく骨骨折の整復固定法の考案

Abstract

In order to achieve closed reduction and fixation for jaw fractures, intermaxillary traction and fixation are usually performed using continuous loop wiring. However, in infantile patients or patients with unfavorable tooth and paradental condition the application of this technique is restricted. On the other hand, sufficient reduction cannot be obtained by the use of a conventional splint with methylmetacrylate resin. In order to solve this problem, we devised. reduction and fixation method using an “elastic splint” of silicon with an assist from a chin cap. With this device, not only the teeth but also the alveolar ridge and palate become the source of reduction and fixation. A deviated bone flap can be reduced by means of elasticity of the splint. Further, splints whose elasticity has been lost can be used as fixing devices, as they are, after reduction. This method was applied to 30 new cases of jaw fractures. All the cases showed improvement and normal occlusion, except for one jaw fracture accompanied by intractable infection. The period of reduction using this device was 2-14 days, 6.8 days on the average, and the period of fixation was 14-49 days, 33.7 days on the average. This device was particularly effective in cases in which no sufficient reducing or fixing source could be obtained with dentition alone (i.e., those with poor deciduous dentition, mixed dentition and poor paradental condition), in cases of missing teeth and in cases of bucco-lingual deviation.