The need for treatment of a maxillary fracture requiring open reduction arises when a patient sustains a displaced or unstable maxillary fracture—often from significant trauma like a car accident or assault—causing facial deformity, malocclusion, or breathing issues, necessitating surgical exposure under anesthesia with assistance in a hospital to manually reposition the bone without additional fixation methods like splinting. This procedure is indicated for moderately complex maxillary fractures manageable by reduction alone, critical in the maxillofacial region where maxillary alignment affects occlusion, sinus function, and facial aesthetics.
Specific conditions necessitating this intervention include:
For instance, a patient with a maxillary fracture from a fall might undergo open reduction to correct a shifted palate and sunken midface, with the assistant aiding in precise bone manipulation. In an aged care context, an elderly patient with a maxillary injury could need this to restore chewing ability, adjusted for their frailty and bone density. By surgically exposing and repositioning the maxilla, this service restores alignment, improves function, and corrects deformity, making it a targeted solution for maxillary fractures requiring direct intervention within the maxillofacial framework.
Restores maxillary alignment, improves bite and breathing, and corrects deformity.
Recovery of 4-6 weeks with swelling, soft diet, and restricted motion; hospital stay required.
