Use of suture as an alternative to stainless steel wire for stabilisation of open cap splint in paediatric mandibular fractures

Abstract

The presence of ongoing mandibular growth and tooth buds make it challenging for the treatment of mandibular fracture in paediatric. Most common and widely used method is the use of occlusion splint which are secured with the help of circumandibular wiring. The aim of this technical note was to describe a new method for the treatment of paediatric mandibular fracture in which the occlusion splint was used and stabilized with the help of suture so as to prevent minimal trauma to the soft tissue. Management of paediatric mandibular fracture is challenging and is different then that of adult. Usually this fracture in children are manage with conventional close reduction technique because of the presence of tooth buds and developing stage of mandible. Open reduction and internal fixation is rarely used so as to prevent harm to the developing teeth it is used only if the fracture is severely displaced.

Keywords

• circum-mandibular suturing
• close reduction
• paediatric mandibular fractures