Breakage of Oscillating Saw during Intraoral Vertical Ramus Osteotomy - A Case Report
Emilio Ramos1,2, Uriel Grümberg1,2, Josefina Gutierrez1
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr Cesar Milstein Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Rationale:
Oscillating saw breakage during intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) is a rare complication but with potential risk for patients' safety.
Patient Concerns:
This is a case of oscillating saw breakage during an IVRO in a 25-year-old female patient. Attempts were made with different manoeuvres to retrieve the broken blade without success.
Diagnosis:
Postoperative Computed Tomography (CT) images showed the broken blade embedded in the upper part of the right vertical ramus osteotomy.
Treatment:
Six weeks following the initial surgery, the patient underwent a new surgical procedure to extract the saw.
Outcome:
The broken saw was pushed laterally from the medial aspect of the ramus using a periosteal elevator and retrieved from the lateral aspect of the mandible with curved haemostatic forceps without complications.
Take-Away Lessons:
To prevent this undesirable event, it is crucial to avoid improper manoeuvres that could overstrain the saw during the osteotomy, as well as oscillating saws with multiple prior uses.
