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Intermaxillary fixation as co-adjuvant treatment for morbid obesity
Helena Siqueira Vassimon1, Daniela Regina Pigoli, Fausto Viterbo de Oliveira Neto
1Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu (São Paulo), Brazil.
Background:
The effective long-term treatments for morbid obesity is bariatric surgery. However, the associated surgical and anesthetic risks led the authors to evaluate intermaxillary fixation, a less aggressive procedure, as a preoperative treatment in selected patients with morbid obesity.
Methods:
22 patients (5 male, 17 female, ages 16-53 years, with BMI 44.9+/-5.4 kg/m(2)) underwent intermaxillary fixation. The procedure consisted of fitting brackets on the front face of the teeth and posterior application of elastic bands to impede mouth opening.
Results:
At the end of 6 weeks, weight loss was 7.4+/-2.6%. There was general improvement in lipid profile, glycemia, and blood pressure. There was no recorded discomfort, pain, or any other difficulty during this treatment.
Conclusion:
Intermaxillary fixation can be used as a pre-surgical solution for weight reduction in preparation for bariatric surgery, improving co-morbid aspects such as blood pressure, glycemia, and lipid profile.