Background: Maxillofacial fractures are common presentation
in Plastic Surgery Emergency Department. Many techniques
of maxillary mandibular fixation have evolved over
the years. Orthodontic appliance technique as a reliable method
for Maxillary-mandibular fixation has been introduced.
Methods: Prospective clinical study was conducted on
20 patients complaining of different types of maxillo-facial
fractures who were candidates for maxillary-mandibular
fixation with or without open reduction and internal fixation.
The objective of the study is to demonstrate technical feasibility,
overall outcomes and complications of the technique,
in the period from October 2017 till March 2018 at in the
Emergency Plastic Surgery Department in Cairo University
Hospital.
Results: In suitable cases orthodontic brackets and elastics
can be used as an effective method of Maxillary-mandibular
fixation with good patients' satisfaction. It can reduce the
hospital admission rate and need for general anesthesia; it
will not only reduce costs for the hospital but also costs for
the patient.
Conclusion: Orthodontic brackets technique's stability
allowed using it as a maxillary mandibular fixation even alone
or with open reduction and internal fixation, thus it used as
an effective method for maxillary-mandibular fixation, and
has proven to cause a significant impact on returning the
patients to their pre-traumatic bite. This makes it able to
replace the Erich arch bar in maxillofacial fracture as a method
of maxillary-mandibular fixation. Orthodontic brackets technique
has shown to offer patients better oral hygiene, convenience
and no mucosal injuries.