Sagittal Maxillary Fracture: Diagnosis and Management.

Background The sagittal maxillary fracture often coexists with maxillary fractures and warrants a definitive management strategy together with other maxillary fractures. Method This study was conducted on 60 patients suffering from sagittal maxillary fracture. Palatal fractures were classified into six subgroups. During management, patients were divided into three groups. In group A, patients with type I, IV, V, and VI were managed with maxillomandibular fixation and anterior maxillary buttress stabilization. Group B patients included type II, III, and IV palatal fractures. These fractures were undisplaced and were managed with maxillomandibular fixation, anterior alveolar plating, and anterior maxillary buttress stabilization. Group C included type II and III fractures with visible gap in the palate and were managed with maxillomandibular fixation, palatal vault plating, anterior alveolar plating, and anterior maxillary buttress stabilization. Result Sagittal maxillary fracture was more common in young males. Le Fort I and II fractures were more frequently associated with it in isolation or in combination. Parasagittal and sagittal fractures were the most common types. Sixteen patients of group A, twenty patients of group B, and twenty-four patients of group C were managed. Malocclusion (2), plate extrusion (2), and oroantral fistula (2) were the most common complications. Conclusion Sagittal maxillary fracture can be diagnosed with clinical and radiological examination. Palatal vault plating is required in displaced palatal fractures of type II and III. Single plate fixed in posterior half of middle one-third of palate gives sufficient stability to the palatal vault.

Retrospective study of the deep circumflex iliac artery flap and the vascularized fibula free flap for maxillary defect repair.

OBJECTIVES: The deep circumflex iliac artery flap (DCIA) and vascularized fibular free flap (FFF) are mainstay flaps for maxillary defect reconstruction. This study compared the functional outcomes and success rates of these flaps to provide midface reconstruction strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Maxillary defects reconstructed with DCIA or FFF at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology between May 2016 and May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The length, width, and height of the grafted bone segments; intermaxillary distance; buttress reconstruction rate (BRR); dental arch reconstruction rate (DAR); success rate; and dental implantation rate were compared. RESULTS: The DCIA and FFF groups had 33 and 27 patients, respectively. Success rate in the DCIA group was 93.94 % and 100 % in the FFF group. The DCIA length was less than that of FFF; however, the width and height were significantly larger. 87.10 % of cases in the DCIA group were classified as Brown class b and c, 51.85 % of cases in the FFF group were classified as Brown class d. The average BRR in the DCIA group was 69.89 % ± 16.05 %, which was significantly higher than that in the FFF group. A total of 38.7 % and 11.1 % patients in the DCIA and FFF groups, respectively, had completed implantation. CONCLUSION: DCIA has a greater width and height, and is more suitable for repairing Brown class b and c defects, providing sufficient bone for implantation, while the FFF is longer and more suitable for Brown class d defect reconstruction.

Osteotomized folded scapular tip free flap for complex midfacial reconstruction.

Aim: To describe a novel technique for the reconstruction of geometrically complex defects of the midface using an osteotomized folded scapular tip-free flap. Methods: Five patients underwent maxillectomy with defects disrupting two or more of the following facial axes: orbital, nasofacial, and palatal axes. Patients underwent primary reconstruction using an angular artery-based scapular tip-free flap with an osteotomy to fold the flap. Harvest techniques, including placement of osteotomies, folding and plating, surgical esthetic, and functional outcomes, are presented. Results: Osteotomies placed in the scapular tip-free flap allowed folding of the osseous flap and improved restoration of all three facial axes with a single flap. In one patient, the tip of the scapula was used to reconstruct the nasofacial axis, while the body and lateral border were used to reconstruct the palate. In four patients, the tip of the scapula was used to reconstruct the orbital axis, while the body and lateral border were used to reconstruct the nasofacial axis. Patients had successful oronasal separation, healed wounds withstanding adjuvant therapy, satisfactory orbital positioning and facial projection, preserved masticatory surfaces and opportunity for dental implants. Conclusion: The midface is geometrically complex and is one of the most challenging head and neck sites to reconstruct. Ablative defects in this area can disrupt facial axes resulting in poor esthetic and functional outcomes. This study demonstrates the reconstructive advantages of a novel osteotomized folded scapular tip-free flap.