Evaluation of changes in anthropometric indexes due to intermaxillary fixation following facial fractures

Abstract

Background. One of the treatment modalities for facial fractures is closed reduction technique, but treatment with intermaxillary fixation (IMF) interferes with normal nutrition, and malnutrition can affect the patient’s recovery. Anthropometric measurements such as skinfold thickness and body mass index (BMI) are universal indexes for diagnosing malnutrition. Therefore, in this study we explain how treatment with IMF changes the anthropometric indexes. Methods. In this study 60 patients were treated with 4 weeks of IMF. Skinfold thickness and BMI of these patients were measured and compared before and after the treatment. Results. Patients’ weight, BMI and skinfold thickness decreased during the IMF period, and this decrease was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Conclusion. Although no severe and acute malnutrition was seen among our patients, IMF led to mild to moderate malnutrition in some cases, making it necessary to use nutritional supplements.

Keywords

• Anthropometry
• body mass index
• fixation
• malnutrition
• skinfold thickness