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A study led by the Monash Biomedical Discovery Institute (BDI) found that the technology currently used in clinics to repair fractured jaws is biomechanically unstable.

This study aims to study the best way to repair the most common subtype of mandibular fracture (angular fracture), because unsuccessful jaw trauma and repair may cause serious short-term and long-term problems for patients, and cause disease The main reason is that it spends millions of dollars in hospital expenses every year.

The results of the study show that due to its invasiveness, the biplanar fixation technique that surgeons least like is the most biomechanically stable in the treatment of angle fractures.

Biplane fixation requires a surgical incision through the cheek to split the main chewing muscle (masseter) located in this area. This incision allows a second microplate to be added to the lower part of the mandible, providing a stronger structure than the most popular microplate (Champy) technology. Although less invasive, it can cause a biomechanically unfavorable environment and may inhibit bone healing.

Another unexpected discovery is that chewing from the same side of the fracture after repair can create a more stable biomechanical environment than chewing on the side that has never been fractured.

Although there are many causes of mandibular fractures, including congenital diseases, oropharyngeal cancer, falls, battlefield injuries, and car accidents, the most common causes are attacks involving young men aged 20 to 40 who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Significantly affect the health and well-being of patients due to pain and difficulty eating.

The results of the study were published today on JBMR Plus.

The research was led by the laboratory of Dr. Olga Panagiotopoulou of Monash BDI in collaboration with Professor Callum F Ross from the University of Chicago, Professor Russell R Reid, a surgeon from the University of Chicago Medical Center, and Dr. Jose Iriarte-Diaz, a collaborator from Sewanee. University of Southwest Tennessee, USA.

"The mandible is the main bone for chewing and is the basic behavior for our survival. Determining the best way to repair mandibular fractures will promote bone healing, improve facial beauty, and most importantly, restore painless chewing," said Dr. Panagiotoulou.

She said that in the short term, jaw trauma and unsuccessful repair can lead to tissue dysfunction, bone infection and bone healing problems, which affect the patient's ability to eat and cause pain.

"In the long run, improper jaw fracture fixation can lead to increased pain and analgesic use, which can lead to opioid abuse and addiction," said Dr. Panagiotoulou.

"Past research has shown that the pain associated with jaw fracture repair can have a negative impact on mental health. Compared with patients undergoing other maxillofacial surgery, patients with jaw fractures are more likely to abuse alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs."

Professor Reid said: “Champy technology is currently the most popular technology because it is relatively easy to apply, but the disadvantage is that it is limited to simpler fractures (non-fragments) and may cause micromotion of the condyles after fixation, which may affect healing.

"This research is groundbreaking because it challenges current fixation and rehabilitation paradigms and may lead to the development of new devices (such as steel plate and screw designs) in the future."

The first author, Dr. Hyab Mehari Abraha of Dr. Panagiotoulou’s laboratory, said: “Our research shows that this popular (Champy) jaw fracture surgical repair technique may not provide sufficient stiffness for bone healing, especially when the patient is They fractured when chewing on the side."

Dr. Panagiotopoulou said that the research combined the use of specific engineering techniques, animal models and computer simulations to form the most powerful corner fissure and repair test environment developed so far.

However, before the results of the study can be used to guide clinical decisions about fixation techniques and chewing side during rehabilitation, data on in vivo eating behaviors need to be obtained before and after the fracture and before repair, she said. Further exploration. Researchers have identified a key stem cell population for bone regeneration. More information: Hyab Mehari Abraha et al., Fracture fixation techniques and chewing side impact mandibular mechanics in mandibular fracture repair, JBMR Plus (2021). DOI: 10.1002/jbm4.10559 Provided by Monash University Citation: Popular jaw surgery technique is challenged (2021, October 13), from https://medicalxpress.com/news/ on November 24, 2021 2021-10-popular-jaw-surgery-technique Retrieve.html This document is protected by copyright. Except for any fair transaction for private learning or research purposes, no part may be copied without written permission. The content is for reference only.

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