Oral Surgery Flashcards
Topics covered: management of mandibular fractures, zygoma fractures, mid-face fractures, oral cancer, salivary gland disease. and referral to oral med and biopsy
Which nerve exits the mental foramen and provides sensory innervation to the lower lip?
The mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve
Name the 4 main pairs of muscles that are attached to the mandible?
- Lateral Pterygoid
- Medial Pterygoid
- Masseter
- Temporalis
Other than the 4 main pairs of muscles, list some other muscles that are attached to the mandible:
- Mylohyoid
- Genioglossus
- Geniohyoid
- Anterior belly of the digastric
- Mentalis
- Buccinator
What % of mandibular fractures account for all facial fractures?
36-70%
List 4 potential causes of mandibular fracture:
- Assault
- Sports Injury
- RTAs
- Pathological - cyst, tumours
List the 5 different types of mandibular fractures?
- Simple - undisplaced, overlying periosteum is intact
- Compound - overlying periosteum and often overlying skin perforated, can involve tooth socket, higher potential for wound infection if wound exposed to oral cavity
- Comminuted - multiple fracture lines, high impact fractures (RTAs), more challenging to manage
- Greenstick - uncommon in mandible, associated w fractures in children, flexing of bone where the outer cortex fractures but inner cortex remains undisplaced
- Pathological
What are fractures classified by?
Their anatomical position
What are the 8 different classifications of mandibular fractures?
- Dentoalveolar
- Condylar (common)
- Coronoid
- Ramus
- Angle of the mandible (common)
- Body
- Parasymphysis (common)
- Symphysis
Why are condylar fractures common?
As the condylar neck is a point of weakness (“crumple zone”)
What is often seen with coronoid fractures and why?
Often see displacement of the fracture superiorly into the infratemporal space - this is because the coronoid is attached to the temporalis muscle.
This can be difficult to manage.
Why are fractures of the angle of the mandible common?
As mandibular third molars are a point of weakness.
Why are parasmyphysis fractures common?
Due to the long root of the mandibular canine.
What 4 factors influence the degree of fracture displacement?
- Pattern of fracture
- Degree of comminution
- Teeth in fracture line
- Muscle pull
Where will the lateral pterygoid displace a fractured condyle?
Anteriorly and medially
Where will the temporalis, masseter and medial pterygoid displace a fractured proximal segment of the mandible?
Superiorly and medially
Where will the digastric, geniohyoid, genioglossus, and mylohyoid displace a fractured anterior segment of the mandible?
Inferiorly and posteriorly
- Known as a “bucket handle fracture” seen in edentulous mandibles.
What is a Guardman’s fracture?
Where the chin absorbs the force of the impact causing:
1. Fracture through the midline of the mandible
2. Bilateral transmission of force to condylar neck, causing condylar fracture
3. Medial displacement of the coronoid process
What extra-oral clinical features might you see in a patient with a mandibular fracture?
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Trismus
- Concurrent soft tissue injury - cut lip, dirt, tooth fragment
- Otorrhea - bleeding from ear, CSF
- Anaesthesia/paraesthesia of the lip
If otorrhea is observed as a clinical finding in a patient with a mandibular fracture, what must you consider?
Whether there has been a fracture to the base of the skull
What intra-oral clinical features might you see in a patient with a mandibular fracture?
- Haematoma in the FOM (Coleman’s Sign) and buccal mucosa
- Malocclusion
- Tongue - stable position, swelling
- Step deformity in occlusion
- Gingival laceration
- Mobility, loss of teeth, or fractured teeth - inhaled, swallowed, or in soft tissue.
Which 2 radiographic views would you ideally take in primary care to allow 3D visualisation of a mandibular fracture?
- DPT
- PA mandible/facial
What additional radiographic views can be used in secondary care to allow 3D visualisation of a mandibular fracture?
- Reverse Towne’s
- CBCT
Where would you refer a patient with a mandibular fracture for radiographs, management and follow-up?
Refer to the nearest maxillofacial surgery department
What complications might a delay in presentation/treatment of a fracture cause?
- Wound dehiscence
- Infection
- Exposure of hardware
- Non-union
- Fibrous union
What 2 different treatment methods are available when managing mandibular fractures?
Which method is the preferred treatment method?
- Open technique - preferred
- Closed technique
In which fracture cases can you use open reduction?
- Displaced fractures (including edentulous displaced fractures)
- Multiple fractures
- Bilateral displaced condylar fractures
Is open reduction carried out intra-orally or extra-orally?
It can be carried out both intra-orally and extra-orally - however it is most commonly carried out intra-orally.
What is the purpose of open reduction and internal fixation in the management of mandibular fractures?
Open reduction - used to align the bone ends anatomically and recreate normal anatomy
Internal fixation - used to prevent movement of the bone margins whilst healing occurs
Approximately how long does it take for an adults fractured mandible to heal post-surgery?
~4-6 weeks
Fixation can be load bearing (i.e. 2 large plates) or load sharing (i.e. one upper border plate and arch bars).
Which is the most ideal out of the 2 options?
Load bearing is most preferred as 100% of the functional load is supported by the fixation.
What aids may be used when carrying out internal fixation?
- Titanium mini-plates - most commonly used
- Reconstruction plates - used in edentulous mandibles
- Compression plates - not commonly used
- Lag screws - not commonly used
Why is titanium a useful material to use for miniplates in internal fixation?
As it osseointegrates well.
This means that the miniplates can successfully remain throughout life.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of open reduction and internal fixation?
Advantages:
- Improved alignment and occlusion
- Fracture immobilisation
- Avoids IMF (closed technique)
- Low rate of malunion
- Lower rate of infection
Disadvantages:
- Morbidity of surgical procedure - as requires GA
- Expensive hardware
- Need for GA
For open reduction and internal fixation, what set of principles determine the number of plates needed and the position of the plates?
Champy’s principles.
How do the Champy’s principles work?
They work by assessing where the stress intention lines are in the mandible and then maximising the position of miniplate osteosynthesis.
In accordance with Champy’s principles, where should the miniplate be placed and why?
Along the ideal line of osteosynthesis - to counteract distraction forces that occur along the fracture line.
In accordance with Champy’s principles, in the mandibular angle region, where should the plate be placed?
Either along or just below the oblique line of the mandible
In accordance with Champy’s principles, in the mental foramina region, where should the plates be placed?
2 plates below the apices of the teeth
What can be used in conjunction with open reduction and internal fixation to improve the occlusion and reduce the fracture?
Pre-operative IMF (closed technique)
What does the closed technique involve?
Intermaxillary fixation (IMF) - wiring the jaws together
What aids can be used to facilitate IMF?
Arch bars
Eyelet wires
Leonard buttons
Cast cap splints
Gunning splints - for edentulous cases
IMF screws
What are the indications for using a closed reduction technique?
- Non-displaced favourable fractures
- Grossly comminuted fractures
- Significant loss of overlying soft tissue
- Edentulous mandibular fractures
- Fractures in children
- Coronoid process fractures
- Undisplaced condylar fractures
What are the advantages and disadvantages of closed reduction?
Advantages:
- Inexpensive
- Simple - can be done under LA
- No foreign body (reduced risk of infection)
Disadvantages:
- Not absolutely stable (still movement at bone margins)
- Prolonged period of IMF up to 6 weeks ( impact on patient’s life)
- Possible TMJ sequelae
- Decreased oral intake
- Possible pulmonary consideration (esp if pt has reflux/vomiting issues)
Why are edentulous fractures more challenging?
- Atrophy
- Poorly vascularised (poor healing capacity)
- Lack of anatomical landmarks
What classification system is used to classify mandibular atrophy in edentulous mandibles?
The Luhr Mandibular Atrophy Classification
How should edentulous fractures be managed?
With the placement of large reconstruction load-bearing plates (extraorally)
Condylar fractures can be extra-capsular or intra-capsular.
Which one is difficult to treat, and which one is most common?
Difficult to treat - Intra-capsular
Most common - Extra-capsular
What is the suggested management for condylar fractures?
Often can be managed conservatively - soft diet, analgesics, NSAIDs
However, if there is displacement or dislocation of the condylar head then active treatment is required:
Intra-capsular: closed reduction using Leonard buttons and elastic traction.
Extra-capsular: open reduction and internal fixation.
How do you manage a greenstick (no displacement) fracture?
Manage conservatively using splints
How would you manage the patient postoperatively following surgical management of a mandibular fracture?
Managed on Ward/ITU
Depends on treatment method (open v closed)
Wire cutters or scissors can be used to remove IMF
There is no specific guidance on prescribing antibiotics
Pt may require short-term steroids/fluids
Post op xrays are not taken routinely
What complications may arise following surgery for a mandibular fracture?
- Inadequate fixation - resulting in mobility/non-union/fibrous union/malunion
- Altered occlusion
- Distracted TMJ
- Scars - trauma and iatrogenic
- Infection - 0.4-32%
- Bone necrosis, osteonecrosis
- Numb lip - due to damage of IAN or mental nerve
- Exposed plate - can be removed under LA
What are the aims when treating a fracture of the zygoma?
- Restore facial projection/symmetry
- Restore orbital region - volume, globe, position, shape of palpebral fissure
What 4 factors does the delivery of treatment for a facial fracture depend on?
- Timing
- Type of fracture
- Mechanism
- Presentation - degree of comminution, stability of fracture, presence of other features
Why is the management of zygoma fractures not normally carried out immediately?
To allow time for facial swelling, oedema, and conjunctival chemosis to reduce - this also helps to improve surgical access.
What are the 4 different types of zygoma fractures?
- Non-displaced fracture
- Displaced, minimally comminuted fracture
- Complex and comminuted fracture
- Isolated zygomatic arch fracture
Why is open reduction and internal fixation a good treatment option for fractures of the zygoma?
As it provides:
- Improved alignment
- Vertical support to the zygoma
- Inspection of fracture sites prior to closure
- Inspection of the orbital rim
Which 5 findings in a zygoma fracture would indicate the need for inspection of the orbital floor?
If there is:
1. >5mm defects on CT Scan
2. Severe displacement
3. Comminution of the bones
4. Soft tissue entrapment with limited upward gaze of the eye
5. Orbital contents herniation into maxillary sinus
What are the 5 different options available for reduction of a zygoma fracture?
- ZMC hook - stab incision, hooks under the bone to provide traction
- Oral ZMC hook - IO approach, vestibular incision, hooks under bone to provide traction
- Screw reduction - screw insertion to provide traction
- Carroll-Girard T-Bar - provides traction similar to screw reduction
- Surgical approach - oral or temporal (Gilles) - Gilles temporal approach is ideal for isolated arch fractures (W type fractures)
How would you carry out the surgical Gilles Temporal technique for reduction of a zygoma fracture?
- Identify incision site
- Skin incision and dissect to temporalis fascia
- Incise temporalis fascia
- Introduce instrument and navigate beneath zygomatic arch
- Introduce elevator (Bristow/Rowe) to reduce
- Close wound with sutures
What aids can be used for the fixation of a zygoma fracture?
How many points of fixation is considered ideal?
Miniplates and screws.
2/3 point fixation is considered ideal - however 4 point fixation may be used in comminuted high energy injuries.
List 3 common fixation points in the management of a zygoma fracture:
- Frontozygomatic suture
- Zygomaticomaxillary buttress
- Infraorbital region
List some other features that may present when dealing with a zygoma fracture:
- Orbital content/volume derangement
- Facial asymmetry
- Infra-orbital nerve issues
- Functional issues - jaw opening, masticatory
- Associated fractures
How would a non-displaced zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fracture be treated?
- Confirm by CT scan
- Non-surgical management - antibiotic, nasal decongestant (if any maxillary sinus involvement), analgesia
- Frequent observation - monitor for asymmetry or functional deficit (if these occur patient may need ORIF)
- Soft diet - to avoid any fracture displacement by the masseter muscle
How would a displaced minimally comminuted ZMC fracture be treated?
Can attempted to treat with reduction alone (reducing the fracture back to its initial position - however there is a risk of fracture displacement
OR
Treat with ORIF (1-4 point fixation) with titanium mini-plates and screws:
- Reduction by direct visualisation to restore facial symmetry, globe volume, position and function
- Fixation at the frontozygomatic suture, zygomaticomaxillary buttress and inferior orbital areas (2-3 point - ideal)
What are the indications for a 2-point fixation method in the treatment of ZMC fracture?
- Minimally displaced fractures
- Stable ZMC fracture after initial reduction with no palpable step deformity at the infra-orbital rim
- No evident changes to orbital volume and globe displacement on CT scan
What are the indications for a 3-point fixation method in the treatment of ZMC fracture?
- Instability of the fragment
- Exploration of orbital floor required
How would a complex and comminuted ZMC fracture be treated?
Major reconstruction
Larger flaps for exposure
Reconstruction of facial buttresses
What would indicate the need for reconstruction when managing a ZMC fracture?
- Enophthalamos - sunken globe due to loss of supporting structures
- Larger defects (5-10mm)
- Defects posterior to the axis of the globe
What are the complications associated with ZMC fractures?
- Pain
- Facial asymmetry
- Scarring
- Bleeding (epistaxis)
- Hardware failure (exposure palpability)
- Infraorbital nerve paraesthesia
- Temperature sensitivity
- Facial paresis or paralysis
- Poor cosmetic result
- Trismus
- Ophthalmological complications
What should be performed by the oral and maxillofacial team prior to surgery for a ZMC fracture?
An ophthalmology exam
What post-op ophthalmological complications can occur following ZMC fracture surgery?
- Decreased visual acuity
- Ectropion - eyelid turned outwards, excessive eye dryness/watering
- Entropion - inverted eyelid, redness, irritation, excessive eye watering
- Corneal exposure/abrasion
- Ptosis - upper eyelid drooped
- Epiphora - watery eye
- Enophthalamos - sunken eye
- Orbital dystopia - eyes not level
- Diplopia
- Blindness - caused by superior orbital fissure syndrome or retrobulbar haemorrhage with compartment syndrome
What does superior orbital fissure syndrome (SOFS) cause?
- Ophthalmoplegia - eye movement problems
- Ptosis - upper eyelid droop
- Proptosis - bulging eyes
- Mydriasis - fixed dilated pupils
- Loss of accommodation
- Anaesthesia to forehead/upper eyelid
- Anaesthesia to cornea/bridge of nose
How do you manage superior orbital fissure syndrome?
Conservative management
What does retrobulbar haemorrhage with compartment syndrome (RBH+OCS) cause?
- Arterial bleed
- Closed non-expansile space
- Increased intra-orbital pressure
- Orbital compartment syndrome
- Reduced perfusion
- Ischaemia of optic nerve and retina
- Permanent vision loss
- Proptosis
- Conjunctival chemosis
- Subconjunctival haemorrhage
- Tense globe to palpation
- Reduced visual activity
- Sluggish pupil response
- Relative afferent pupillary defect
- Intense globe pain
- Diplopia - double vision
What is the management for retrobulbar haemorrhage with compartment syndrome (RBH+OCS)?
- Non-surgical - fluid deplete, mannitol, acetazolamide, steroids
- Surgical - lateral canthotomy - surgical decompression
What is the most likely cause of a mid-face fracture?
High energy/high impact forces from:
- RTAs
- Severe assault weapons
- Falls from height
- Industrial - large machinery
- Agriculture - large animals
- War injuries
What are the borders of the midface?
- Superior borders:
- zygomatic, frontonasal, frontomaxillary - Inferior borders:
- occlusal plane (upper teeth)
- alveolar ridge - Posterior borders:
- pterygoid plates of the sphenoid
Where does the middle third facial skeleton gain its stability from?
Paired buttressing system
What anatomical feature of the mid-face can help to manage masticatory forces?
Struts
What can the midface do to protect the brain, skull, and cranium from trauma?
It can collapse and absorb forces
What 3 parts make up the buttressing system of the mid third facial skeleton?
- Vertical Buttress
- includes nasomaxillary, zygomaticomaxillary, pterygomaxillary buttresses. - Horizontal Buttress
- includes frontal, zygomatic, and maxillary buttresses. - Sagittal Buttress
- includes zygomatic arches, palate, floor of orbit
What are the characteristics of the middle third of the facial skeleton?
- Fragile
- Fracture usually affects multiple bones
- Low tolerance to impact forces
- Protective - can collapse in response to trauma
- Posterior displacement of the maxilla in response to fracture
Which bones of the midface are most likely to fracture in response to traumatic forces?
Nasal bones
What might you expect to see when an edentulous patient presents with a midface fracture?
A posteriorly displaced maxilla - however as the patient is edentulous you can expect to see:
- Anterior open bite
- Facial lengthening
- Limited airway
- Nares blood clot
- Coincident head injury
- Dish face deformity (in severe cases)
What classification system is used to classify mid-face fractures?
The Le Fort Classification System
What is a Le Fort I fracture?
A fracture that results from a force directed above dentoalveolar segment.
Separates the teeth and whole alveolar complex.