Application of Orthognathic Surgery Principles and Techniques in the Management of Craniomaxillofacial Trauma

Abstract

Background: Posttraumatic secondary deformities of facial skeleton may occur because of nonmanagement or ill management of primary injuries, whereas some unexpectedly occur even after dedicated management attempts. Orthognathic surgery (OGS) principles and techniques can be used as an efficient tool to correct posttraumatic craniomaxillofacial deformities or skeletal developmental deformities during trauma management.

Aim and objectives: The aims of this study were to describe the different types of posttraumatic secondary deformity and address how to use the principles of orthognathic techniques to correct them.

Materials and methods: Patients with orthognathic surgical osteotomies during primary or secondary management of facial trauma (referred to as trauma-OGS) during the period of 2010 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Variables pertaining to patients and surgery were collected, including trauma diagnosis, etiology, duration between trauma/primary surgery and secondary presentation, suggested reason for secondary deformity, intervention undertaken to address, and the surgical outcome.

Results: Twenty-seven patients were eligible and extensively reviewed. Etiological categorization of trauma-OGS could be done into posttraumatic deformities (18) and developmental deformities (9). The former group was further categorized as OGS done as primary procedure (8) that included immobile Le Fort fractures and delayed initial treatment, and OGS done as secondary procedure (10) that included complex fractures and condylar fractures. The developmental deformity group was categorized into OGS done simultaneously during trauma management (5) or done as a secondary procedure after trauma management (4).

Conclusions: Application of principles and techniques of OGS in indicated primary or secondary management of facial trauma patients should always be considered. The categorization of scenarios presented in this article relating facial trauma and OGS may further help to understand the application.