The need for treatment of a mandibular fracture requiring open reduction and internal fixation not involving a plate arises when a patient sustains a displaced mandibular fracture—typically from trauma like a car accident—resulting in instability, malocclusion, or pain, 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 mandibular fractures needing fixation beyond simple reduction, critical in the maxillofacial region where jaw stability affects chewing and speech.
Several scenarios necessitate this intervention:
For example, a patient with a mandibular fracture from a sports injury might undergo open reduction with screw fixation to align the jaw and restore function, with the assistant ensuring accurate placement. In an aged care setting, an elderly patient with a mandibular fracture could benefit from this to regain chewing ability, adjusted for their frailty and bone quality. By surgically repositioning and internally fixing the mandible without plates, this service ensures stability, improves function, and alleviates pain, making it an effective procedure for mandibular fractures requiring precise intervention within the maxillofacial framework.
Stabilises mandibular fracture, restores jaw function, and corrects alignment.
Recovery of 6-8 weeks with swelling, soft diet, and fixation care; hospital stay required.
