Internal fixation vs. conventional therapy in midface fractures

The purpose of this review is to evaluate internal fixation by means of AO miniplates compared to conventional therapy for the treatment of complicated midface fractures. A more precise division of midface fractures into functional units than that afforded by the Le Fort classification was employed to categorize the complexity of injury. The criteria of evaluation were ease of functional rehabilitation, incidence of complications, and results of surgery. The classification system was helpful in surgical planning and in subsequent analysis of results. Forty-nine of the 92 midface fractures treated by open repair between July 1980 and January 1986 were malar fractures, and 41 of these had associated orbital fractures. The remaining 43 had Le Fort II or more complicated midface fractures, only 15 of which could be adequately categorized by the Le Fort classification. Twenty-two of the 43 patients with complicated midface fractures were surgically treated with internal fixation utilizing 67 AO miniplates. The remaining 21 patients were treated with conventional therapy utilizing a combination of intermaxillary fixation (IMF), and/or interosseous wiring, and/or primary bone grafting. Among the problems encountered were a nonunion of the midface in a delayed repair of a severely comminuted midface fracture, which required secondary split rib grafting. Three plates were removed because of intraoral extrusion. There were no plate-related infections. One of the advantages of internal fixation is that the need for primary bone grafting and external fixation is eliminated. Another is that intermaxillary fixation is needed less frequently, allowing immediate access to the oral cavity for control of airway, care of intraoral wounds, and rapid return to normal alimentation with full mandibular function. Most patients with no associated GI problems tolerated a soft diet within 6 days. Tracheostomy tubes were removed within 3 days if no pulmonary failure was present. We can conclude that internal fixation provides excellent stabilization and repair of complicated midface injuries with minimal complications and rapid return to function for most patients.