Technique for rigid fixation of Le Fort and palatal fractures

In the surgical repair of Le Fort fractures, fixation is accomplished with either stainless steel wires or bone plates. In 10 patients treated during the last three years at Truman Medical Center, we found that the posterior lateral wall of the sinus, or buttress, had been severely comminuted, making such fixation difficult. With midpalatal fractures, which often accompany Le Fort fractures, palatal collapse and buccal torque of the segments are additional problems. Head frames can be used to maintain vertical dimension in the former cases, but a much simpler technique is available. A similar technique can also be used for midpalatal fractures.