Influence of Traumatic Brain Injury on Bone Healing Rate in Mandibular Fractures: A Prospective Comparative Study...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Trauma Surgery
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Accelerated bone healing in long bone fractures is known in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients.
• Mandibular fracture healing in TBI patients is less understood.
• This study investigates mandibular fracture healing rates in TBI vs. non-TBI patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare mandibular fracture healing rates in patients with and without TBI.
• To assess the efficacy of high-frequency ultrasonography in monitoring fracture healing.

Main Methods:

• Prospective comparative study of 77 patients with mandibular fractures (June 2020-Nov 2021).
• Patients divided into TBI (Group 1) and non-TBI (Group 2) groups.
• Fracture healing assessed weekly for 4 weeks using high-frequency ultrasonography (6-15 MHz) to evaluate callus formation.

Main Results:

• Mean time to initial callus formation was significantly shorter in TBI patients (15.45 days) vs. non-TBI patients (19.98 days).
• Soft callus was evident earlier in TBI patients (27.3% vs. 9.1% by week 2).
• Hard callus formed significantly earlier in TBI patients (72.7% vs. 27.3% by week 4).

Conclusions:

• Mandibular fractures heal faster in patients with TBI, with callus formation approximately 4.5 days earlier.
• High-frequency ultrasonography is an effective, radiation-free tool for serial fracture assessment.
• Findings can guide surgical timing and follow-up for polytrauma patients.