Screw-wire osteo-traction (SWOT) in the reduction and fixation of frontonasal dysjunction in Le Fort II/III upper mid-facial fractures

Abstract

Frontonasal dysjunction may occur as a component of Le Fort II or III fractures. Frontonasal reduction and fixation in upper midfacial fractures using a bicoronal flap for access is essential for effective management of the fracture, 1 Prein J. Manual of internal fixation in the cranio-facial skeleton. Springer, Berlin1998: 95-147 Crossref Google Scholar but conventional anatomical reduction and stability can be difficult to achieve before osteosynthesis. Screw-wire osteo-traction (SWOT) is a useful adjunctive method to secure precise anatomical reduction and maintain stability during osteosynthesis. A few published reports describe its use in the management of lower midfacial fractures, 2 Kim M.G. Yoo R.E. Chang H. et al. An intermaxillary fixation screw traction wire: an aid for facial bone fracture repair. Ann Plast Surg. 2009; 63: 71-73 Crossref PubMed Scopus (5) Google Scholar , 3 Moon S.H. Lee J.H. Oh D. et al. Reduction of zygomatic fracture segment with intermaxillary fixation screw. J Craniofac Surg. 2012; 23: 842-844 Crossref PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar , 4 O’Regan B, Devine M. Screw-wire traction technique. An aid to anatomical reduction of multi-segment mid-facial fractures. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjoms.2012.10.016, in press. Google Scholar but we know of no reports of it being used in the management of frontonasal dysjunction in upper midfacial fractures.