53418 - Maxilla Fracture Open Reduction (No Plate)

The need for treatment of a maxillary fracture requiring open reduction and internal fixation not involving a plate arises when a patient sustains a displaced maxillary fracture—often from moderate to severe trauma—causing instability or malocclusion, necessitating surgical exposure under anesthesia with assistance in a hospital to reposition the bone and secure it with internal fixation methods like wires or screws, excluding plates. This procedure is indicated for complex maxillary fractures needing fixation beyond simple reduction, critical in the maxillofacial region where stability affects occlusion and facial structure.

Specific conditions driving this need include:

• Moderate trauma: A fall fracturing the maxilla might displace it, requiring open reduction and wire fixation to stabilise without a plate.
• Malocclusion: Teeth misalignment from the fracture could impair chewing, needing surgical repositioning and screws for stability.
• Instability: A loose maxillary segment might shift without fixation, prompting internal methods to hold it in place.
• Sinus function: A fracture disrupting sinus walls could need reduction and fixation to restore breathing and drainage.

For instance, a patient with a maxillary fracture from a bike accident might undergo open reduction with wire fixation to align the bone and restore bite, with the assistant aiding in precise wire placement. In an aged care context, an elderly patient with a maxillary injury could benefit from this to improve eating ability, adjusted for their frailty and bone condition. By surgically repositioning and internally fixing the maxilla without plates, this service ensures stability, restores function, and corrects deformity, making it a tailored solution for maxillary fractures within the maxillofacial framework.

Stabilises maxillary fracture, restores bite and function, and corrects deformity.

Recovery of 6-8 weeks with swelling, soft diet, and fixation care; hospital stay required.