Introduction: Different techniques of the management of sagittal maxillary fractures have been described with different advantages and disadvantages. We herein present our experience and results of managing these cases by reversing pre-activated maxillary expanders and evaluation of its efficacy.
Patient and methods: A prospective study was conducted from April 2016 to February 2020 including all the patients managed for sagittal palatal fractures using the modified technique. The patients were evaluated for healing, occlusion and complications.
Results: A total of five patients with sagittal palatal fracture were managed. The mean Glasgow Coma (GCS) score and injury severity score (ISS) of patients were 11.6 ± 2.4 and 15.2 ± 4.3, respectively. Both had a significant strong negative correlation with a correlation coefficient of - 0.889 (p = 0.44). The median duration for initiating the treatment for facial fractures was 2 days (range 2-12 days). All patients achieved satisfactory outcomes and tolerated this technique well. No obvious complications were found.
Conclusion: This method could produce enough transversal force to reduce fractured fragments and then serve as an external fixator to maintain stability for bony healing.
Keywords: Closed reduction; Facial trauma; Maxillary expander; Sagittal maxillary fracture.
© The Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of India 2021.