Outcomes of prophylactic antibiotics following surgery for zygomatic bone fractures.

Data regarding the use of prophylactic antibiotics and infection rate following surgery for fractures of the zygomatic bone is scarce. Therefore an audit of the use and outcomes of antibiotic prophylaxis for surgery of fractures of the zygoma was undertaken. Following audit approval, four maxillofacial surgery units in the Yorkshire Region gathered prospective data for 134 patients undergoing surgery for fractures of the zygoma.

Tapia's syndrome after repair of a fractured mandible.

A 41-year-old gentleman underwent surgical repair of the fractured right parasymphisis and left condyle of his mandible. Post-operatively he developed hoarseness of voice and dyspnoea during speech, with deviation of the tongue on protrusion. After excluding intracranial and surgical causes, a clinical diagnosis of Tapia's syndrome was made.

Open reduction and internal fixation versus closed treatment and mandibulomaxillary fixation of fractures of the mandibular condylar process: a randomized, prospective, multicenter study with special evaluation of fracture level.

Purpose: This randomized, clinical multicenter trial investigated the treatment outcomes of displaced condylar fractures, and whether radiographic fracture level was a prognostic factor in therapeutic decision-making between open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) versus closed reduction and mandibulomaxillary fixation (CRMMF).

Patients And Methods: Sixty-six patients with 79 displaced fractures (deviation of 10 degrees to 45 degrees, or shortening of the ascending ramus >or=2 mm) of the condylar process of the mandible at 7 clinical centers were enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated to CRMMF (n = 30 patients) or ORIF (n = 36 patients) treatment.

Minimally invasive fracture treatment with cannulated lag screws in intracapsular fractures of the condyle.

Purpose: We examined the use of cannulated lag screw osteosynthesis for the treatment of fractures of the mandibular condylar head in providing a high-quality durable fixation, while at the same time reducing the trauma necessary for an open approach to the fracture site.

Patients And Methods: A preauricular approach was used for exposure, reduction, and osteosynthesis in 5 cases of type B condylar fractures. A cannulated screw system was used that allowed optimum placement of the self-cutting cannulated lag screw following insertion of a guiding wire and using clinical control to ensure its correct position.