Halo-Type Distraction Device Used to Treat a Severe Midface Depression Fracture

The deep layers of the nasoethmoid region comprise a thin-walled lacrimal bone, a paper-thin ethmoid plate, and ethmoidal cells, forming an extremely fragile and easily crushed structure. In a nasoethmoid complex fracture where the support structure itself is destroyed, epithesis and immobilization are difficult and can lead to residual saddle nose deformities. Therefore, bone grafts are often necessary at a later date. Recently, the authors occasionally see reports of nasoethmoid complex fractures that are treated with Halo distraction devices. Advantages of this device are that it applies constant traction to maintain the shape of the structures until the ruptured nasoethmoid bone and mucosa are repaired, thus minimizing relapse. There is no need for rigid fixation with a plate, no limitations on how much distraction is possible, and no major skin incisions are required for the approach. The authors treated a 30-year-old man who suffered a severe and widespread depressed facial deformation due to a nasoethmoid fracture that included a midface comminuted fracture using a Halo-type distraction device. A gentle traction was maintained on the nasoethmoid bone and part of the maxilla pulling it forward, and resulted in an extremely good outcome both esthetically and functionally. This method is believed to be extremely useful and effective, requiring only minimally invasive surgery for comminuted midface fractures involving a nasoethmoid fracture with a depressed frontal process of the maxilla. Below, the authors provide a detailed description of their experience with this device.