A cross-sectional study of the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on domestic violence-related oral and maxillofacial injuries.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 lockdown, more domestic violence-related traumas were reported. In this study, we investigated and compared the incidence of domestic violence-related injuries-in particular oral and maxillofacial injuries-in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study based on 3974 domestic violence cases registered at the Public Health Department, National Traumatology and Orthopedics Research Center of Mongolia between 2018 and 2022. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. The victims were categorized according to their age (child, adult, and elderly). RESULTS: The mean age of the victims was children 9.7 ± 5.4 years, adults 34.8 ± 8.3 years, and elderly 64.3 ± 8.7 years. Binary logistic regression analysis (no/yes) showed that oral and maxillofacial injuries during the lockdown increased 1.3 times (OR = 1.3; CI 95% = 1.0-1.6; p = .003) in adults and 2.5 times in children (OR = 2.5; CI 95% = 1.7-3.9; p = .001). Additionally, injuries to upper limbs increased 4.6 times (OR = 4.6; CI 95% = 3.5-6.1; p = .001) in adults and 5.2 times in elderly patients (OR = 5.2; CI 95% = 1.8-16.2; p = .01). Additionally, thorax injury in children increased 3.1 times (OR = 3.1; CI 95% = 1.7-5.7; p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: During the lockdown, injury to oral and maxillofacial regions increased in adult and child victims of domestic violence.

Quantitative Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Measurements Provide a Precise Diagnosis of Fractures of the Mandibular Condylar Process.

As 2D quantitative measurements are often insufficient, a standardized 3D quantitative measurement method was developed to analyze mandibular condylar fractures, and correlate the results with the mandibular condylar fracture classifications of Loukota and Spiessl and Schroll and clinical parameters. Thirty-two patients with a unilateral mandibular condylar fracture were evaluated using OPT, 2D (CB)CT images, and 3D imaging to measure the extent of the fractures. The maximum mouth opening (MMO) was measured. Ramus height loss could be measured only in OPT, but not in 2D CT images. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was excellent in the 3D measurements. In the Loukota classification, condylar neck fractures had the largest median 3D displacement and the highest rotations of the fracture fragments. The largest fracture volume was observed in base fractures. According to the Spiessl and Schroll classification, type V fractures had the largest median 3D displacement and the highest rotation in the X-axis and Z-axis. Type I fractures had the largest fracture volume. We found a moderate negative correlation between MMO and 3D displacement and rotation on Z-axis. The 2D quantitative analysis of condylar fractures is limited, imprecise, and not reproducible, while quantitative 3D measurements provide extensive, precise, objective, and reproducible information.

Accuracy and outcome of mandibular fracture reduction without and with an aid of a repositioning forceps.

PURPOSE: It is presumed that adequate reduction of a fracture of the mandible favors bone healing and diminishes the risk of complications. In this retrospective study, we compared the accuracy of fracture alignment and complication rate of mandibular fractures reduced without or with aid of a repositioning forceps. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of consecutive 252 patients with mandibular fractures treated between January 2010 and December 2016. Eligible for this study were patients with isolated mandibular fractures needing open reduction and internal fixation in whom pre- and postoperative radiographs and patient records were available. In total, 131 (252 fractures) patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Seventy-one (54%) patients were men. Mean age of the patients was 33 ± 16.5 years, and the median and interquartile range of age was 25 (20;41). In 54 patients, mandibular fractures were reduced without the aid of repositioning forceps, and in the remaining 77 patients, the fractures were reduced with the aid of the repositioning forceps. Anatomical alignment of the fractures was poor in the non-forceps-aided group (48%) compared to the forceps-aided group (58%) (P = .067). Overall complication rate was higher in the group of fractures reduced without the aid of forceps (17%) than in the forceps-aided group (7%) (P = .045; OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.0-7.4). CONCLUSIONS: Mandibular fractures reduced with the aid of repositioning forceps are accompanied by a lower complication rate and better alignment. This is an important observation as better alignment of the fracture fragments favors bone healing and reduces complications.

A Treatment Protocol for Fractures of the Edentulous Mandible.

PURPOSE: The incidence of fractures of edentulous mandibles is relatively low. Knowledge about the management of these fractured edentulous mandibles relies heavily on case reports and observational studies. On the basis of the current literature, we compiled a treatment protocol for fractures of the edentulous mandible and hypothesized that this protocol would result in fewer complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of edentulous patients with mandibular fractures. The predictor variable was the fulfillment of the treatment protocol (yes or no). The outcome variables were postoperative complications and reoperations. Patient demographic characteristics were collected from patient records. The χ2 test was used for statistical analysis between predictor and outcome variables. RESULTS: Of 61 edentulous mandibular fractures (36 patients), 53 were treated according to the protocol and 8 were not. We observed 4 complications in the first group (complication rate, 7.5% [4 of 53]) and 4 in the second group (complication rate, 50% [4 of 8]). The fracture treatments that followed the protocol had a significantly lower postoperative complication rate (P = .001; odds ratio, 0.082) and needed fewer reoperations (P = .0001; odds ratio, 0.019) compared with the treatments that did not follow the protocol. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that following the compiled treatment protocol for fractures of edentulous mandibles significantly reduces postoperative complications and reoperations.

Non-IMF mandibular fracture reduction techniques: A review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Intermaxillary fixation (IMF) techniques are commonly used in mandibular fracture treatment to reduce bone fragments and re-establish normal occlusion. However, non-IMF reduction techniques such as repositioning forceps may be preferable due to their quick yet adequate reduction. The purpose of this paper is to assess which non-IMF reduction techniques and reduction forceps are available for fracture reduction in the mandible. METHODS: A systematic search was performed in the databases of Pubmed and EMBASE. The search was updated until February 2016 and no initial date and language preference was set. RESULTS: 14 articles were selected for this review, among them ten articles related to reduction forceps and four articles describing other techniques. Thus, modification and design of reduction forceps and other reduction techniques are qualitatively described. CONCLUSION: Few designs of repositioning forceps have been proposed in the literature. Quick and adequate reduction of fractures seems possible with non-IMF techniques resulting in anatomic repositioning and shorter operation time, especially in cases with good interfragmentary stability. Further development and clinical testing of reduction forceps is necessary to establish their future role in maxillofacial fracture treatment.